Would just like people opinions on whether this issue might be worth pursuing with my local council. At the end of my girlfriends street is a small but extremely busy chruch and its tiny car park is begining to over spill by a huge amount onto the street that runs beside it. The street is rather narrow and there double parking on both sides of the street and as such now on 3 occasions in the last two weeks the road is so congested you cannot drive down it because there is not enough room between the parked cars. Ive taken pictures this morning of a few issues

I know on this picture the gap looks wide enough but a few moments before i took it a daewoo matiz only just got threw the gap

Theres also this problem

I cannot get my sons small buggy down this gap so i highly doubt someone with a wheelchair would be able to get down it either.

Also to note, i have nothing against the chruch goers but there manor of parking is becoming a problem.

Thanks

That's causing an obstruction, what if the fire service needed to get down there?

 

In the first instance, I'd have a polite word with the Vicar/ Reverend/ Bishop/ His Holiness The Pope and make him (or her) aware.

 

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/66/part/IX/crossheading/obstruction-of-highways-and-streets

 

RIDING OR DRIVING ON THE FOOTPATH

Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835 provides an offence of riding or driving on the footpath.

It states:
If any person shall wilfully ride upon any footpath or causeway by the side of any road, made or set apart for the use or accommodation of foot passengers; or shall wilfully lead or drive any horse, ass, sheep, mule, swine, cattle or carriage of any description, or any truck or sledge, upon any such footpath or causeway or tether any horse, ass, mule, swine or cattle on any highway so as to suffer or permit the tethered animal to be thereon.

NOTES:

(i) A footpath is part of a highway, if it is beside a road.
(ii) The section only extends to the wilful obstructions specified.
(iii) Proceeding may be instituted by anyone and is not confined exclusively to the Highway Authority.
(iv) "Wilful" under this section means "purposely"

Thanks lee.

The council won't be able to take any action - they will point you in the direction of the Police. 

Whilst the Police will be asked to deal with inconsiderate parking it is the responsibility of the highways department of the local council to implement parking restrictions to prevent further issues.

Call round the local Fire Station and ask the Watch Commander politely if he can arrange for a crew to visit at service time.

Theres also this problem

I cannot get my sons small buggy down this gap so i highly doubt someone with a wheelchair would be able to get down it either.

 

Oh I'm sure you can, if you push it hard enough. Might convince them to leave more of a gap, too.

Going to send off an email with my pictures, also got pictures of my car on my girlfriends phone not been able to fit threw the gap.

What you want to do is set a house on fire at the other end of the street, the fire brigade have the legal right to ram cars out of the way so will go down and push cars on both sides away, this will discourage them from parking there ever again thus solving your problem.

Or you could take photos of the issue and go to the council to ask for double yellows. But I prefer the first idea personally.

What if i set the cars on fire?

You could also write to your ward councillor. They do like to get involved with things like this.

parking hs been decriminlised so it is now te councils uty to resolv and enforce, not the police.  contact your local authority to note the problm and ask for the warden to pay a visit during the service times.  alo ask for te issue to be flagged to the church leaders.

Bloody bible bashers!

What if i set the cars on fire?

Obviously I can't condone arson, or even making a fake call to the Fire Service, but a report of a vehicle fire next to a building is a multi-appliance shout.

I think as a bonus, they even charge you for the damage to their fire engine if they have to barge your car out of the way

As you don't live there, I reckon you should canvass opinion of the other ressies.  Is this a Sunday morning question, particularly though? I would imagine it's just a bit of pain trying to wander off home after a night out, feeling slightly muzzy, maybe a bit elated, then have to deal with the parking issue. I'd also point out that morning after hangover, residual alcohol and rational decision making aren't the best fit. FFS don't get into a driving argy-bargy whilst you're possibly still ****ed.

 

Maybe you could have a chat with the Vicar, then the congregation if there's no give - leaflet every car? Try not to use the phrase "not very Christian" at this stage. You wouldn't want them on a crusade...

 

J.

I dont live there at present no but a date is actually set within the next few months for me to move in. This happens on friday nights and sunday mornings that i know of. Most residents dont drive and are probably not aware of any issues, theres some bungalows occupied by o.a.p's i should imagine they wouldnt be pleased about not been able to use the path, you can see the bungalows in the left of the pictures.

One thing that grates is as you may be able to see on the pictures is that corner, just round there the street is twice as wide with more than enough room to park but they want to be right outside the chruch

Also i dont drink regular so i have about one hangover a year and ive had 2014's already lol