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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Insane parking behaviour - intentionally blocked in

156 replies

sadkittymum · 04/03/2026 22:18

I was coming back to my car last night after a shift at work (I’m a vet). The branch I was at does not have a car park, so I was parked on the road next to the practice. I’ve been parking on this road for over a year with no issues, but it is busy as it is also next to a school. I parked my car in front of someone’s house, however no part of my car was over the dropped kerb, and I was in no way restricting access onto their drive. I was behind another car.

Upon my return, the owner of the house that I was in front of had moved their car so it was directly behind mine (the bumper was, and I am not at all exaggerating, 5cm from the back of my car). She had specifically moved her car (leaving her own drive clear of a car, and now parking her car to block her own drive), to do this. This left me completely blocked in as there was also a car in front of me.

Not knowing what to do, I went to knock on the door and I could see that the woman had gone upstairs and was not responding to me at the door. I even knocked on neighbours doors to try to get some help! After about 15 minutes of this, another member of the house arrived home in his car, so I approached him and said the car blocking me needed to be moved. It was also preventing him from getting on his own drive! The woman came out, and said nothing at all other than ‘I’m only moving this to allow him on the drive’.

I really really regret not saying anything but I just was so glad to get in my car and drive away from there. I’m only 25 and very non confrontational and this was a middle aged couple! Surely it cannot be legal to do this - what if I had had an emergency and I was stuck? I was parked on a public road not obstructing them!

Pretty sure I am not being unreasonable, but is this something that people do???

OP posts:
DotAndCarryOne2 · 08/03/2026 18:01

dubbie · 05/03/2026 11:23

@DotAndCarryOne2 Yeah, lets not worry about wheelchair users, people pushing prams.

Highway code rule 243.

I’m a wheelchair user myself. I know from personal experience that you can be fined for parking across the dropped kerb in front of you own drive. It was explained to me in detail by the smarmy traffic warden as she watched me get into my wheelchair, that because my DH’s car was on the drive l was blocking access to the highway. The fact that l was parking to nip In and ask him to move up so l could get in cut no ice with him. And l wasn’t parked on the pavement itself, it was on the road, directly in front of my drive, so there would have been no need for anyone in a wheelchair or using a pram, to deviate.

DotAndCarryOne2 · 08/03/2026 18:09

AntiqueBabyLoanSmurf · 05/03/2026 13:58

Yes, thank you. I've mentioned that on previous similar threads and people seem to think that it's just fussing to care about other people who need those dropped kerbs (not to mention the actual pavement itself).

When somebody applies to drop a kerb, the council considers several factors when deciding whether or not to grant the application. If approved, the kerb isn't just dropped for the homeowner wanting to access a drive (even though they may have submitted the application), and it's breathtakingly arrogant to assume that it is.

OK, a pram/pushchair might be slightly different, as it's very useful to have a dropped kerb, but it's probably not overly difficult to lift up the wheels carefully to mount a standard kerb; but for an adult using a wheelchair, mobility scooter, rollator, other walker etc., it's an absolute lifeline for their independence. Ironically, a car can usually mount a standard kerb anyway at a bit of an angle (even if not recommended long-term); a wheelchair not so much.

As mentioned upthread l’m a wheelchair user myself. The assumption here is that l was parked on the pavement. I was actually parked on the road directly in front of my own drive, so not causing any obstruction.

Jellytotsapplepie · 08/03/2026 18:14

cherrytree12345 · 04/03/2026 22:34

Maybe put a note through her door advising that you were parked legally on a PUBLIC road and that if she blocks you in again you will report her to the police without hesitation.

This for sure

dont Give extra information about being vet

shorter is more effective

johnd2 · 22/03/2026 13:24

WhatAMarvelousTune · 04/03/2026 23:50

People can be absolutely batshit about the road outside their homes.

I once parked (for the first time) on a road for the day. Not any restricted parking, not causing any issues with anyone’s driveway access, actually not even directly outside anyone’s house, I was next to a pavement which just had a fence to someone’s back garden. And some absolute loon scrawled “don’t park here” across my whole windscreen in lipstick. It was a complete nightmare to get off. And a waste of lipstick.

and criminal damage, the most they could get away with would be a note under the wiper without it being criminal damage

Edit: sorry thought this was in trending, I must have fumbled and clicked an old one!

Whatexcellentboiledpotatoes · 22/03/2026 13:35

I'll never understand these people that think they own a bot of road just because their house is built next to it
Even more bizarre that they have this attitude after choosing to live right by a school and a veterinary practice.

Having said that, you are a grown woman and an educated professional. Time to start being a bit more assertive and sticking up for yourself.

ElizaMulvil · 22/03/2026 14:03

PrincessofWells · 05/03/2026 10:17

I thought that was the Greek method 😂

No, French.

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