Gather in for real-time parking wars

[CatHugger]

A house down the road is having some work done and the workmen have parked their van blocking the access road to 40-odd garages. I nicely asked them to move it this morning so I could get out, which they did without and hassle. I came back and they were there again! On-street parking is a nightmare and there were no other spaces so I've blocked them in. I'm several houses down and am in now until 2-ish. There is technically another exit but it's a right pain to get to, so they can try doing a 100-point turn if they like...

Diagram to follow.

So the tradesmen have blocked the access road to all the garages? How fortuitous that I'm just settling down for lunch and a cup of tea.....

The only issue here is that you are blocking all your neighbours access to their garages too.

Edited since x post. So neighbours can access garages? Does that mean you could too? I’m a bit confused.

Is there actually anywhere else for them to park? (Assuming the van needs to be close to the house to get tools etc).

And I misread "other cars" as "other cats" so was hoping for some feline involvement as well! 😁

Fabulous diagrams. I’m annoyingly busy this afternoon but will pop in out for updates. Love a good someone else’s parking row.

Wow.

Getting out is ok if annoying but getting in is a nightmare. It's a busy main road so turning round to get to the other entrance means queuing way down the road to the next roundabout, then all the way back up again, a right turn against heavy traffic and a fight with the gate. A PITA basically.

superb diagram!

So they haven't really blocked you in. There is another exit you can use. They also moved when you asked. So why block them in? Use the other entrance/exit.

I could but I'm feeling like being an arse about it today. I told them nicely that it's the access road for all the house' garages and they clearly couldn't care less. It's a big renovation and I don't want this going on for weeks so making a point today to nip it in the bud.

Agreed.

OR the van could be parked somewhere other than in an access road? 🤷🏻‍♀️

I actually agree with this.

Is there any where else they could have parked their van?

By their logic, they probably thought it wouldn't be too much of an issue to park there, whilst completing their work since there was another way to access the garages?

But why couldn't you just leave a note with your door number and move when asked?

Why be an arsehole about it? And rope others in to block the other end?

Pointless arseholio bollocks in my opinion.

Are the renovation neighbours not in the street WhatsApp group?

I don't see why I should have to take a 10-minute detour and risk my car getting damaged on a badly-maintained track just to make van man's life easier TBH. There is on-street parking available and he should use it like every other workman does when working on other houses up and down the road.

No, it's one we have with our immediate neighbours for putting the bins out, cat sitting etc. (there are many cats, not shown on the diagram though).

ooooo I’m in pain with a flare up of my psoriatic disease and fibromyalgia today, can I hobble round to yours with some gin and pain killers please

I do get where you're coming from and part of me is absolutely loving the car parking wars, but if this is going to go on for weeks is it really worth antagonising the builders and your neighbour who's having the work done?

Surely it would be better to have a conversation with the builders and your neighbour at the same time and make it clear they cannot block the access route at any time. Alternatively you could use the other exits.

I'm probably going to get flamed but I do have sympathy for tradesmen when they have no where to park nearby when they are on a job. Some need access to tools and machinery so have no option other than to park as near as possible. In my experience if you ask them nicely they normally move their vans.

If they are right next to it, and are happy to move to let people in and out, there isn't really an issue, is there?

On the street parking which is used up by other cars. You said so yourself which is why you are blocking him in. The van needed to go somewhere. Like I said there is another entry point so he's not blocking you in/out.

They haven't asked you to take a detour, they moved when asked, but you are still being an arsehole, to people just trying to make a living 🤷🏻‍♀️

Either on street parking is available (in which case they - and you - can easily park where needed) or on street parking is a nightmare with no spaces which is why you've had to block them in.

You've said both. Which is it?

Bit you are making everyone else have to take that detour now as you are blocking the access?