Drivway/access issue

[Electric_Andy]

Can someone advise on what the rules are please, as me and my partner disagree?

Our driveway (hopefully pictured) has a dropped curb (dotted line) that only covers half of the driveway entrance. It then raises back into a full curb height (solid line).
Occasionally, someone parks on the road alongside the full height curb, which does block half of our driveway. We can manoeuvre back out sometimes, but like this weekend we have had a delivery of aggregate on the driveway so we can only get the car in and out of the half which isn't dropped.

I think that if a car is parked across any part of the driveway, they should't be i.e. they are blocking it. Whereas my partner thinks they are only in the wrong if they are blocking the dropped curb half of the driveway. Who is right?

 

[fossyant]

Quick google

In most areas local councils have now taken on responsibility for enforcing parking provisions under what is known as Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE). Under CPE, it's an offence to park a vehicle that blocks a dropped kerb driveway

I'd put a sticker on the car anyway as you really shouldn't be blocking a driveway, dropped or not, but I don't think you can do anything 'legally'.

My BIL had an issue with next door. All four bed detached, only space for two cars. Next door had two adult kids, so they parked at the front and often blocked one of my BIL's cars in. When asked not to block their drive, their answer was 'well we'd end up blocking ourselves in' - people are stupid. He got one back on them, paid for the council to paint a H on the road across his drive. Neighbour did it again, photo taken and sent into local council. Neighbour fined.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I thought it was if there is a car on it, blocking access to the kings highway or some such?

 

[Electric_Andy]

Under CPE, it's an offence to park a vehicle that blocks a dropped kerb driveway

This is the main point then, it seems. So because only half of the driveway width has a dropped curb, they can only not block the dropped part? So if they want they can block the raised curb half?

It's not really a regular issue, I'd just like to know out of interest and if I ever have to ask someone to move their car, I want to know if I'm asking them as a favour or if I'm telling them they are legally in the wrong.

Our neighbours are fine, it's usually people visiting them or just someone who can't find a space elsewhere on the road. Which is weird because every house has a driveway but there are cars on both sides all along the road that park on the road.

 

[fossyant]

It's just downright rude to block a driveway. Fortunately it's not too often. Can you pop one of those - 'please don't park here, access required' signs up ?

 

[markemark]

If it's not dropped you can park there (assuming no other parking restrictions obvs). Whether or not it blocks a drievway is irrelevant. In fact, if it's not a dropped kerb, cars aren't allowed to mount to the pavement to get to a driveway. A dropped kerb is required to be allowed to drive across it. So I'd keep quiet about it as in theory you could be done for parking on the left side if mounting the un-dropped kerb part of the pavement to get to it.

 

[Beebo]

I have a similar drive way.
The rules are you can park up to the dropped curb. I know it’s annoying.

 

[richardfm]

Speak to the council about extending the dropped curb to cover the whole driveway.
It won't be cheap and in some, if not all, areas you have to use the council's approved contractors.

 

[kynikos]

Quite ok to park where there's no dropped kerb - and within the rights of the council to charge you for repairs if you damage the (undropped) kerb by driving over it.

 

[Electric_Andy]

I have a similar drive way.
The rules are you can park up to the dropped curb. I know it’s annoying.

ok thanks, that's all I need to know really. If it came down to it, I could politely ask them to move if it was an issue. We don't want to drive up or down the curb anyway so if possible we use the dropped half. I just wanted "the rules" so I know what's allowed and what's not.

Thanks

 

[Electric_Andy]

Speak to the council about extending the dropped curb to cover the whole driveway.
It won't be cheap and in some, if not all, areas you have to use the council's approved contractors.

Yes I know people who have had it done, it costs a lot. It's not on our list of priorities at the moment but something to consider. it's only happened 2 or 3 times in over a year, and we were able to reverse across to the dropped side to get out. But always handy to know the law

 

[midlife]

I thought the rule about driveways was that it’s ok to park across it if there is nothing on the drive (antisocial but not illegal) but naughty to park across and block someone already on the driveway from leaving. ?

 

[annedonnelly]

I thought the rule about driveways was that it’s ok to park across it if there is nothing on the drive (antisocial but not illegal) but naughty to park across and block someone already on the driveway from leaving. ?

How does that work when my car is in the garage? You wouldn't know if you were blocking me from leaving.

 

[Webbo2]

when you have a planned delivery just park across your drive so no one can block your parking.

 

[sheddy]

I thought it was an offence to block someone from leaving their property, but not an offence to block someone returning.