Parking on corners of roads - main roads

[neil_bolton]

I wonder if anyone could help me:

I live on a fairly smallish road, just off a fairly busy main road, of which our road faces a community centre, and as a result, there is a 'crossing' bollard just down from our turning.

Now the problem I have is this:

As the road is a fairly quick one - even though its a 30, everyone seems to whip down (the green arrow) 'slightly' faster - but also its on a hill. The way I go out of the turning is 'up' the hill (the red arrow).

The main problem is that cars have now started to regularly park right on the corner of the turning - thus blocking any view I can get of up the road.

This requires me to then 'poke' my nose into the oncoming traffic almost as a way of 'announching' my intention to pull out.

If I stay back behind my line, I:

1. Can't see whats coming down the road
2. Would never get let out, seeing as no-one would see me

So in poking my nose out (so I can see round the purple cars), I scare the crap out of me, and the oncoming traffic, and its not been unknown for some sleepy plank to completely miss me and swerve at the last minute, into which is then obviously the bollard.

Needless to say, its bloody lethal.

What can I do?

I would like to know whether I can speak to anyone Police or Council wise to consider some parking regulations along there as its going to cause an accident at some point.

Your thoughts are welcomed.

Diagram as follows...

[7db]

There's one of these in Redhill - I think the council's response was a camera just near the third blue car. Not necessarily helpful...

RBKC seems to favour painting solid bordered chevrons around borders to prevent parking there at the moment. Not sure who thought that one up, but should open up the views a little.

In the meantime your option is either:-
- peep and creep - windows open radio off, crawling out slowly so that you can see and be seen safely until you can see enough to go. USe reflections and the view inside the parked cars if it exists to help.

- choose a different route.

[neil_bolton]

7db said:

In the meantime your option is either:-
- peep and creep - windows open radio off, crawling out slowly so that you can see and be seen safely until you can see enough to go. USe reflections and the view inside the parked cars if it exists to help.

- choose a different route.

I do the first at the mo - looking through windows etc etc, but its not a precise art. TBH I think its the only option.

The second would be silly (not having a moan at you) as I live in the first house on that road, and I'd have to drive nearly half a mile to get back around to where I would like to go...

I'm thinking that just some simple 'corner' double yellows would do the job, with a bit of traffic warden action for a while to make the point?

I'm sure that you are not supposed to:

1. Park anywhere near the corner up to 10ft?
2. Park opposite bollards?
3. Park obstructively?

I've thought of having a word with the local PCSO's as they would be well suited to sorting this out?

[2something]

It's such a pain, especially when it's a van or 4x4 parked on the corner, you can see absolutely nothing coming from the right and have to try and listen with the windows down whilst creeping out. The other option is to take a left turn whilst somewhat protected by the badly parked vehicle then go for a U-turn (not sure that's any safer)

Happens all over the place in London, if anyone has had any success getting councils to change the road markings in a similar situation, please let me know.

Edited by 2something on Tuesday 7th August 09:52

[JulianHJ]

Might well be a good one for the local PCSOs as you suggest.

[groomi]

I've noticed an increase in people parking too close to junctions. It is getting really difficult and dangerous as you point out. Unfortunately, the one useful job a traffic warden could do doesn't seem to attract their attention...

[tvrgit]

neil_bolton said:

I'm thinking that just some simple 'corner' double yellows would do the job, with a bit of traffic warden action for a while to make the point?

Highway authorities have to consult the police before introducing the TRO to implement the yellow lines. Most Highway Authorities and police forces don't like introducing isolated bits of yellow lines that are then a swine to enforce - unlike in city centres etc where wardens are on regular patrol. One people start to get away with parking on yellow lines it devalues their effectiveness everywhere - you end up booking more offenders rather than the primary objective which was to keep the junction clear - and despite what many of you may think, collecting the revenue is NOT the primary objective.

neil_bolton said:

I'm sure that you are not supposed to:

1. Park anywhere near the corner up to 10ft?
2. Park opposite bollards?
3. Park obstructively?

I suspect you are thinking of the provisions of the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 as set out in the HIghway Code: AT NIGHT you can park your car or light goods vehicle without lights on a road with street lighting and subject to a speed limit of 30mph or less... provided that it is facing in the direction of traffic and at least 10 metres from any junction (which appears to mean you can park it closer to the junction if you leave the lights on). There are no regulatory distances (that I am aware of) for parking during the day time.

As you say, though, the police can book for obstruction wherever you are parked, if they think it's an obstruction, simple as that. The Highway Code contains "should not" advice including opposite traffic islands and at dropped kerb crossing places etc etc.

[walm]

Any chance of a small mirror opposite your road? (Or just rest one on the bollard?) Country folk seem to use these everywhere to help them pull out into NSLs etc... (also helps warn those on the NSL about hidden entrances).

[7db]

neil_bolton said:

The second would be silly (not having a moan at you) as I live in the first house on that road, and I'd have to drive nearly half a mile to get back around to where I would like to go...

Turn left out of the exit and U-turn or right, U-turn and turn left?
Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do.

[neil_bolton]

7db said:

neil_bolton said:

The second would be silly (not having a moan at you) as I live in the first house on that road, and I'd have to drive nearly half a mile to get back around to where I would like to go...

Turn left out of the exit and U-turn or right, U-turn and turn left?
Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do.

I've read and re-read that a few times and still can't quite figure out what you mean?

[2something]

7db said:

neil_bolton said:

The second would be silly (not having a moan at you) as I live in the first house on that road, and I'd have to drive nearly half a mile to get back around to where I would like to go...

Turn left out of the exit and U-turn or right, U-turn and turn left?
Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do.

I think he meant

option 1:
Turn left out of the exit and U-turn

option 2:
Turn left out of the exit, then take a right turn, U-turn and turn left back onto the main road.

option 3:
Reverse out, so if anyone hits you, you can make it look like it was their fault!

Edited by 2something on Tuesday 7th August 11:45

[siztenboots]

tvrgit said:

neil_bolton said:

I'm thinking that just some simple 'corner' double yellows would do the job, with a bit of traffic warden action for a while to make the point?

Highway authorities have to consult the police before introducing the TRO to implement the yellow lines. Most Highway Authorities and police forces don't like introducing isolated bits of yellow lines that are then a swine to enforce - unlike in city centres etc where wardens are on regular patrol. One people start to get away with parking on yellow lines it devalues their effectiveness everywhere - you end up booking more offenders rather than the primary objective which was to keep the junction clear - and despite what many of you may think, collecting the revenue is NOT the primary objective.

neil_bolton said:

I'm sure that you are not supposed to:

1. Park anywhere near the corner up to 10ft?
2. Park opposite bollards?
3. Park obstructively?

I suspect you are thinking of the provisions of the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 as set out in the HIghway Code: AT NIGHT you can park your car or light goods vehicle without lights on a road with street lighting and subject to a speed limit of 30mph or less... provided that it is facing in the direction of traffic and at least 10 metres from any junction (which appears to mean you can park it closer to the junction if you leave the lights on). There are no regulatory distances (that I am aware of) for parking during the day time.

As you say, though, the police can book for obstruction wherever you are parked, if they think it's an obstruction, simple as that. The Highway Code contains "should not" advice including opposite traffic islands and at dropped kerb crossing places etc etc.

As I recall, day or night, no parking within 33 feet of a junction. Just phone up your council and the traffic warden will do the rest.

[mechsympathy]

I can't believe noone has commented on your artwork

It is, as you say, a royal PITA. And I'm convinced it's a product of the "I'm alright Jack, so sod you" mentality that's getting more and more prevalent.

[havoc]

There's a similar junction to this about 100yds from our place, use it regularly. And instead of the bollard you have a (very short) right-filter lane for the left-to-right traffic...creating the opportunity for a head-on instead!

So what does the chap a door down from the corner house do? Yep, park his Transit there regularly!!!


I would suggest getting onto the council...apparently one of my neighbours (round the corner neighbour, so to speak) tried this with our problem junction about 5 years ago, but the owners of the first few houses complained as they had nowhere else to park. So no yellow lines for us...

[eltax91]

I really feel for you here mate. As a student i lived on a road with EXACTLY the same situation. I used to creep out and one particular time, i had to stop my manouver as a van came from my left out of a driveway. As i waited for the van, a golf hooned along following the "green arrow" and as i looked at her i saw her messing with the kids in the back seat!

She smashed in to the side of my car and MY INSURANCE got stung for the damage as it was me who crossed the give way into her path. Regardless of her speed or ineptitude behind the wheel! Police attended the scene and told me as much!

[Peter Ward]

Too many cars and not enough roadspace. It's an increasing pain.

Near me people have taken to parking actually on a longish but blind bend, but to show willing they also park half on the pavement .

I always thought there was a HC rule that you can't park near junctions and on bends. However, unless there's a DYL I guess there's no money in "decriminalised enforcement" so nobody cares. Certainly the police don't -- the bend described above is right opposite the county police HQ!!

[greysquirrel]

you dont live on my road do you? absolutely stupid.. they can see everything when they pull off they are on the main road, they just must not consider anyone coming from the side road. both sides of my road are full with cars right up to,and overhanging the corners at times. had a few near misses whilst nudging out!

[tvrgit]

Peter Ward said:

I always thought there was a HC rule that you can't park near junctions and on bends.

siztenboots said:

As I recall, day or night, no parking within 33 feet of a junction. Just phone up your council and the traffic warden will do the rest.

Highways Code says "you should not" but it's NOT specifically against the law (unless parked at night with no lights). It may come under "obstruction" but parking at junctions is not a specific offence.

Wardens cannot enforce obstruction or other road traffic offences - only yellow lines etc. Only the police can enforce.