Streetlife

Because they are ignorant and don't care about anyone else

The other day day I saw a car parked on and blocking the pavement so that pedestrians could not get past and had to walk in the road, when I spoke to the driver they told me they could not find anywhere else to park  and did not want to park on a yellow line in case they got a parking ticket. So that's alright then !

its such a joke! i have had enough of it so got the council parking enforcment number on speed dial! we moved into our house in july and at least 2 people a day park over the drive and only one person has come to my door to say he cannot find anywhere to park is it ok if he parked there for 5 mins! which i was ok with! but the inconsiderate people are now finding that they are getting tickets on their cars! rant over!

I could write a book about this, but what a yawn!  When my Dad was in hospital I had to put a note on my car windscreen to the effect that a relative was seriously ill and  I needed to be able to go out day or night at any time.  When he died I was taking it out and I overheard a neighbour making a sarcastic comment to the effect that it had been a lie.  

The only thing that leaves my access free nowadays is that there is now a yellow line outside.  However, people still park on the side of the drive that I don't use.  One even chipped my bay window - and this is all  because I am the second house from the end and people can't be bothered to go any further down and there is a double-yellow outside the first house!   I put notes out and ask people and it works to an extent but I am sure I am known as the local crank!!  I am not the only one down my road that suffers as I have seen other notes - less polite than my own!!!

I have the same problem - been going on for years. And there is now some kind of Muslim school opened up in the road (in a residential house) and every weekend now  it's the same - tons of extra traffic down an already busy road, and people dropping off and picking up their kids - they seem to think it's just fine to park across drop down kerbs and block residents in, When you politely ask them to move, would you believe that they actually refuse? I also have the traffic warden on speed dial and so give the drivers the option of moving or facing a fine. Most move, but you shouldn't have to do this. People are arrogant, rude, and selfish nowadays. Obviously dragged up, not brought up with manners and respect for others.

Fewer unnecessary parking restrictions would help.

But we shouldn't be paranoid about people who wait in their cars across our driveways while e.g. waiting for a child. They'd move if you DID want to get out that moment.  Often you didn't.

Yes, I agree this is acceptable. There has to be some give and take.   However, it can be a bit inconvenient if you live near a corner and when you come home there are a couple of cars across the drive and you have to cause an obstruction in the road whilst waiting for them to move which often happens at the busiest times.

CD - yes there seems to be a scarcity of politeness/common decency nowadays - I sound like an old crone but I do get tired of people chucking their rubbish in our garden/in the hedge - just outside in the street.  Unfortunately, it doesn't seem possible to enforce laws on what might seem less serious matters, but can actually cause a lot of inconvenience.  

I would like to see how some of the offenders would feel if they got a call that a relative was in hospital  critically ill and they couldn't get their car out and were too late when they got to the hospital.  So even if it is late at night, or the car obstructed is not in daily use it is still not on to block its exit.

Even if they are just waiting they still shouldn't be parking illegally. I'm lucky though a friend at work that lives Newbury park end of Barkingside said people actually park on her drive! What possess people to this I don't know. I think I may start a name and shame starting with the car obstructing my driveway which has been sat there all day!

@Donkey. Not paranoid at all - not sure where you got that idea from, unless you mean you are paranoid about it? If there is a drop down kerb outside your house and a yellow line across that drop down, then parking laws and restrictions are applicable and more importantly enforceable, end of.. And no, they don't always move when you ask them to - seriously - they refuse and just sit there. Ignorant people, Also, don't understand why you say "often you didn't" - not being funny, but how would you know?

"Often you don't" means "often I don't".  I have the problem, gated access with a dropped curb, and local businesses that attract many car users.  There's "parking" and there's "waiting".  If they really ARE "back in two minutes" or sitting in their card, we can get along.

When someone parked across, and left it for several days, yes - I could have had it ticketed.  But not moved, which is what mattered.  I wasted time calling 101.  A nice lady took the details, but nothing happened. Apparantly my "neighbourhood team" were all on leave after a heavy weekend of duty.  I called the real police.  They'd ticket it if I liked.  But the tow truck wasn't realistically giong to be available for the forseeable future.

A support officer called a week later.  Wanted to tick me off on her form as a "satisfied customer".

If it's a real "999", the police do their best.  If it's a "101", forget it.

I fear that Redbridge has become one giant car park - and I say that as a non-driver of 79 years. When I need a car, I use Radio Cars and have done for many years. Far more cost-effective than having a car, paying road tax and car insurance. But what really annoys me about car and van  drivers is those who park on their driveways but alow the rear of the vehicle to protrude over the pavement. This is highly dangerous - especially for people with poor eyesight and families trying to walk together. I report such folk to the Council as it is an offence.

Re reporting to Council:  does this apply at evenings and weekends too?

This is what they sent me when I asked about it a while ago

Alternatively, if a vehicle parks with one or more wheels against the
dropped part of your kerb then you can use our 'enforcement call out'
service. A Civil Enforcement Officer will attend your address and check
that you want the vehicle to be issued a Penalty Charge Notice (this
procedure is to ensure your own vehicle is not penalised). Between 10am
to 4pm, Monday to Friday, you will need to call 020 8708 3636. Outside
of these times you need to call 020 8708 5211.

Hope this helps

How to be popular with your neighours!  ONE INCH over my dropped curb and you're nicked!  Council get revenue from a ticket, so they're happy.

I'd like to echo Ron's point by saying that an obstruction by the overhang of a parked vehicle on to the footway can cause a hazard to a pedestrian, not least a wheelchair user who cannot get past the offending parked car. Ron says it is an offence but I don't see that the new law includes the ability to report car owners (and one assumes the home home occupier) of this offence. Does anyone know if I can do this?
Thanks

If it's an offence, it''s an offence.  You don't need a special law permitting you to report it.  And the council and/or police shouldn't give you a blanket idea of how they'll respond.  Each case is, I hope, treated on its merits.  And there's always the matter of limited resources - this might not be QUITE the most important matter to attend to at that particular moment.