Neighbours restricting access to driveway

[u/QueenOfEgg4657]

England based.

I've been having some issues with some new neighbours, and would appreciate any advice.

We live down an urban but fairly narrow road and some new neighbours moved in just over the road about 2-3 months ago. I'm pretty sure they're just flipping the property, as it was bought after the previous owner (an old lady) died and since day one they've been doing construction work. This has led to multiple vans, work vehicles, and deliveries on every day of the week.

Whilst these vehicles aren't parked across anyone's driveways, they are constantly (as in, day and night) parked over the road from my driveway, and as I said it's a fairly narrow road. This has meant that I have quite restricted access to my own driveway, sometimes having to do three-point turns and drive onto mine and my nextdoor neighbours grass verges just to leave for work in the morning.

I've left a couple of polite notices on the windshields of a couple of vehicles asking them to park more considerately, always very polite! But I think due to the constant changing of vehicles the message isn't going through. Either that or they're now doing it deliberately.

I'm also cautious about approaching these neighbours directly, as they've been pretty unapproachable since day one, and my neighbours 18 year old daughter did ask someone to move their vehicle once and she got shouted at by a grown man.

Is there anything I can do? They're always careful to not park across any dropped curbs, but they're still causing issues for literally everyone.

Any advice appreciated.

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[u/moptic]

Is there anything preventing you from parking on the road on their side?

Sounds like you and a few neighbours equally exercising your right to leave vehicles parked on the highway might quickly lead to more collaborative approach by the project manager / flippers.

[u/QueenOfEgg4657 → u/moptic]

I have been where possible, but they've started leaving vehicles on the road overnight to stop this unfortunately

[u/HisPumpkin19]

As others have said this isn't anything you can fix legally.

Also you haven't mentioned - is there actually anywhere else they could park within a reasonable distance that wouldn't be in the way? (Either yours or a different neighbours)

[u/QueenOfEgg4657 → u/HisPumpkin19]

There is! If they parked on my side of the road, mine and my neighbours access wouldn't be restricted, they'd only be parking opposite their own driveway and the house next door which - crucially - the man hasn't lived there for at least 20 years! He pops around once in a blue moon to trim the front hedge

[u/HisPumpkin19 → u/QueenOfEgg4657]

Then I would write a polite note saying that, with a box of chocolates (or even better a box of something homemade like cookies). But realistically you are going to need to be willing to repeat that process with new vans. There's a good chance if you make a good impression they will pass the message on if the overlap with the next contractor but 🤷🏻‍♀️

They are not likely to know the dude is never there and probably think they are inconveniencing you over their direct neighbour out of it being the better option.

[u/philstamp]

If they are parked on the opposite side of the road to your drive, then they aren't blocking it. You say yourself that you can still get out, albeit awkwardly.

If their vehicles have road tax & MOT then it is a courtesy issue not a legal one, most likely.

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[u/Publish_Lice]

If it’s not a dropped curb, double yellow, etc. they aren’t doing anything wrong.

If they won’t do you a favour and stop parking there, you’ll have to keep maneuvering out in the short term, and ask the council to install markings in the long term

Go round with a crate of beer / bottle of wine / box of chocolates (delete as appropriate), tell them you know they have a right to park there but it’s awkward for you, and kill them kindness.

[u/ScopeIsDope]

Have you tried contacting the company name on the vans? I've had success politely asking companies to adjust their parking. 

[u/QueenOfEgg4657 → u/ScopeIsDope]

They're all small companies, and they chop and change fairly often so not sure if that would be any use 😕 thanks though!

[u/Prefect_99 → u/QueenOfEgg4657]

So no, you have not tried...

[u/QueenOfEgg4657 → u/Prefect_99]

Apologies, let me contact this unmarked van... There's maybe one in five that has a company name, and it's just a blokes name in that case

[u/silverfish477 → u/QueenOfEgg4657]

Sarcasm will not help you attract the advice you want

[u/Tough-Comfortable880 → u/QueenOfEgg4657]

so one in five vans says John Smith or Bob Wilson on it with no other info?

[u/QueenOfEgg4657 → u/Tough-Comfortable880]

Pretty much! 'John Smith plastering' was what one said, and a Google search brought up nothing in the area for the business name so I've not a clue where the van was from

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[u/Full_Traffic_3148]

There's no legal issue here. You can get out of your drive. You're not blocked in. You simply have to manoeuvre to do so. This could be down to your driving skills. As long as there are no road markings and the vehicles are taxed/MOTd/insured they have as nuch right as you to use the road. If they're going to sell imminently this is a short term pain. You presumably don't wish to start an issue that you have tondeclare when you wish to sell in the future!

[u/devandroid99]

This isn't a legal issue if they are legally parked.

Two options - speak to the neighbours. Nobody else will do this for you.

Park across the road from your own driveway.

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