Quiet suburb plagued by 'nuisance' parents blocking driveways on school-run
Residents near Dussindale Primary School in Norwich are up in arms as parents' parking during the school run makes it difficult for them to leave their homes.
The quiet residential roads around Dussindale Primary School in Norwich may look like any other in England.
However, the area isn't as peaceful as it may seem, with frustrated homeowners locked in a long-running parking dispute which is instantly familiar to millions around the UK.
People living near the school are growing tired of parents illegally parking during the school run, claiming they are unable to get out of their driveways and say mums and dads "kick up a fuss" when confronted.
On weekday mornings, usually, quiet roads such as Royalist Drive, Cavalier Close and Vane Close are full to the brim with cars parked along single yellow lines, with one local councillor liaising with police to try and put a stop to it.
"It's been happening for years now," said Janet Cook, who has lived on Royalist Drive for 20 years. "The road is sometimes filled with cars along here and if I see anyone trying to park outside my drive I'll tell them to move because they shouldn't be there.
"I don't understand why the children can't be dropped off and walk to school because it makes it so difficult to get out of my own house at times. But they'll get out and just leave their car for 10 to 15 minutes at a time."
A couple living on Royalist Drive, who asked not to be named, said: "We have had support from our local councillors, enforcement officers, the local school and even the police.
"We have also been told that traffic enforcement officers have been on the receiving end of abuse by parents which is simply unacceptable. Despite everything families continue to park illegally and, to be honest, it is an absolute nuisance."
Sue Dartnell, who has lived in the area for 28 years, said yellow lines were added to the area's roads around five years ago, and helped to begin with, but are now simply ignored by many of the parents.
"I've had to ask someone to move because my friends, who were parked in my driveway, couldn't get out," she said. "The person moved but not without kicking up a bit of fuss beforehand."
Her neighbours have had a "terrible time" trying to get out of their drives due to cars parked right opposite, she added but said a recent increase in police patrols has made a difference. Whether or not officers will prevent the problem coming back after the Christmas break, remains to be seen.
Councillor Ian Mackie, who has been inundated with complaints from locals, says he's raised concerns with the police, who have stepped up their patrols of the area.
"My advice would be for people to not park illegally - and secondly - if this continues, those doing it should be prepared to possibly receive an unpleasant Christmas present in the form of a fine."
A Norwich police spokesperson said: "We have agreed to carry out some patrols there at the start and end of the school day. This is in addition to the council's parking enforcement officer patrols, which we are aware have also been taking place this week."
The school's Broad Horizons Education Trust were contacted for comment.
Is parking across a driveway illegal?
Rule 243 of the Highway Code tells motorists, "do not stop or park" near a school entrance or in front of an entrance to a property.
It's a bit more complicated than it may appear, however, as government guidance on the Highway Code describes expressions such as "do/do not", or "should/should not" as "advisory wording".
Failure to comply with the Code's rules will "not, in itself, cause a person to be prosecuted", the guidance adds, although it may be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts.
Rules of the code that are a legal requirement to follow are identified in the code with the words "must/must not", which do not apply to parking in front of someone's driveway.
In the case of Dussindale Primary School, parents are reportedly parking on single yellow lines during restricted hours, which the Highway Code says you "must not" do.
RED driving school clarifies that parking on a street that has some form of parking restrictions in place may be in contravention of various traffic laws, either enforced by the local authority or in certain cases, by the police.
"If the vehicle is parked in such a way as to be considered to breach Highway Code Rule 242, which states 'You MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road'", RED adds. This is covered by the Road Traffic Act 1988 section 22 and Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, regulation 103.
As for parking directly on someone's driveway without the homeowner's consent, this would count as trespassing, breakdown and insurance company the RAC says.
Trespassing is classed as a civil offence, rather than a criminal one, meaning police wouldn't have the power to make an arrest, and the council would have no authority to remove it as it would be on private property.
"The best thing to do on a one off is to keep calm and don't let the situation escalate, never take the law into your own hands and do not stoop to revenge tactics that could get you prosecuted also," the RAC says. "If it's causing an issue, try and speak to the person and resolve the situation sensibly."
If it's a long-term issue, you could pursue a civil case for trespassing, or a claim for nuisance behaviour, and the courts would have the power to order the car's removal.
Read more
Parking warning for Christmas shoppers as fines from private companies hit new high (The Telegraph)
Row as TfL 'plans to spend £650,000 moving pedestrian crossing 50 yards' on Streatham High Road (The London Standard)
Crackdown on blue badge parking as more drivers prosecuted for abusing rules (Oxford Mail)
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