Private Parking Rights - Enforcing

[JayFletch]

Hi Guys,

 

New reader, new poster!

 

I live next to a canal in Staffordshire in a row of about 10 houses, on an unadopted road. The houses are at the end of this road, with a parking plot containing spaces for 2 cars each per house, just before you get to the houses. Now, the whole area is quite hidden away and the only traffic we get are the home owners themselves or visitors.

 

However, as we are hidden away and off the main road, we have had in the past had cars abandoned to get round SORN, and we have one now. This is a separate issue to what I am posting and is being addressed elsewhere. However, the residents have had enough and we are looking at options available to us on preventative measures for non resident parking. The reason for this is that there is no extra room for other cars due to the location - if a space is taken, there is no room for the resident to park; period.

 

The results online so far tend to be in the drivers' favour and how to claim back / fight against a parking ticket whereas this is a bit different. Signs displaying residents only etc are being discussed and I am wondering what we can realistically enforce.

 

Any advice or past experiences please - Cheers!

[esmerobbo]

If they are avoiding SORN then I assume they are untaxed, then you could report them as abandoned! https://www.gov.uk/report-abandoned-vehicle

[armadillo71]

Hi Guys,

 

New reader, new poster!

 

I live next to a canal in Staffordshire in a row of about 10 houses, on an unadopted road. The houses are at the end of this road, with a parking plot containing spaces for 2 cars each per house, just before you get to the houses. Now, the whole area is quite hidden away and the only traffic we get are the home owners themselves or visitors.

 

However, as we are hidden away and off the main road, we have had in the past had cars abandoned to get round SORN, and we have one now. This is a separate issue to what I am posting and is being addressed elsewhere. However, the residents have had enough and we are looking at options available to us on preventative measures for non resident parking. The reason for this is that there is no extra room for other cars due to the location - if a space is taken, there is no room for the resident to park; period.

 

The results online so far tend to be in the drivers' favour and how to claim back / fight against a parking ticket whereas this is a bit different. Signs displaying residents only etc are being discussed and I am wondering what we can realistically enforce.

 

Any advice or past experiences please - Cheers!

 

Lockable fold down posts in front of every space would provide a solution.

Using a PPC would not...

[ploddertom]

Hi Guys,

 

New reader, new poster!

 

I live next to a canal in Staffordshire in a row of about 10 houses, on an unadopted road.

 

Here's me thinking they had started ticketing boats!

[f16]

You say it is an un adopted road, and the parking spaces are before the houses. Could you not put a manual locked gate or electric operated barrier at that point.

I agree with armadillo71. Don't use a PPC, trust the advice on this brilliant site.

[esmerobbo]

I should have added to my previous post, using a PPC it will be the residents who suffer not the offenders. Have a look around this site how many residents get caught out by these companies, who then refuse to back down when a resident challenges an invoice.

[JayFletch]

Thanks for the replies - essentially what you are saying is the only way to deter , is to secure the spaces. This is part of the discussions now and looks to be the only way forward; whether that be a Gate or per parking space. It's a rural area so an electrical option is a non starter.

[f16]

Comment #6. I agree completely. You will have nothing but problems PPC. Posts or road barrier.Initial cost split between you and other house holders........ Future costs £0000 and zero hassle

[BoardinBob]

Don't bring in a PPC. Speaking from personal experience here

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?160624-Enforcing-parking-in-private-residents-parking-spaces

[f16]

you could look into a solar power version.

[JayFletch]

Thanks, I was enquiring about enforcing it ourselves and not employing a private company to do this as I think we are getting slightly off topic. I would also say I'm still on the other side of the points you raise, as informative as they are - I have a plot of land, owned by me and in my House deeds that is is currently hosting an uninvited car from somebody I do not know or have invited to park there. This is a not a mixed car park where somebody has just "taken" a space, they have consciously driven to this location to dump the car in a quiet rural area, well away from the main road, where it would be legitimately towed.

 

I'm a bit miffed tbh as it looks like unless I pay for it to be removed by the council, there's very little else I can do to stop this happening in future, unless there is a physical barrier in place which lets face it, is a complete faff for everyone involved.

[BoardinBob]

there's very little else I can do to stop this happening in future, unless there is a physical barrier in place which lets face it, is a complete faff for everyone involved.

 

 

It's less of a faff than dealing with a car every time it parks on your land. Individual bollards are easy to install.

[armadillo71]

It's less of a faff than dealing with a car every time it parks on your land. Individual bollards are easy to install.

 

 

 

+1

sums it up nicely.

[f16]

Ok, are the cars "dumped" or parked and removed ( driven off later ) ? If they are abandoned phone the Police, then apply to DVLA for ownership and sell it for scrap. That way you don't pay the council and you get £100 / £150 for your trouble. You can move it out of your space and leave it parked at the side of your road while waiting for DVLA.

[ericsbrother]

Who owns the land? if it is jointly owned by the properties there then the bollard at the end of the lane is the cheapest solution as already stated. As for informing the police about an abandoned car, they wont be interested oin one dumped on private land as it is the landowners problem. You can haeve it towed at your own expense but what I would do first is go to the DVLA web site and enter the reg No and see if the vehicle is taxed. If it is contact the DVLA and get the RK details and write to them giving them 7 days notice of removal and say they they will be billed for the towing and disposal costs. If it is not taxed get a scrappy to come and remove it the day before you put your bollard in place. The scrap merchant will get more forthe cars then the towing fee.