Double Yellow Lines

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Soldato
Joined
5 Nov 2010
Posts
24,678
Location
Hertfordshire
So there is a frequent issue where lorries are parking on a bend on double yellow lines. These lorries park up whilst they're waiting for a company to deal with them, sometimes multiple lorries. There never used to be double yellows, I think they put them down in the past year or so. But as you would expect, this didn't solve anything.

To pass said lorries means going onto the other side of the road on a bend.

What could i do to help the situation? People have tried to talk with the company and have sent pictures to the council.

Do carry on being extra cautious and ignore the problem?
Should I contact the Police?
Do I go to the local rag?

Please let me know your opinions as I'm not sure how to proceed.
 
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Contact the police. lol, good one.

If you're really concerned, most councils have local area commity meetings once a month, where you local councillor(s) will be available. Raise the issue there, it's normally quite informal and helpful.
 
Armageus said:
To spin it round the other way for a second - if the lorries shouldn't park there, is there anywhere suitable they could park (presumably to load/unload)?

Loading and Unloading on either Double or Single yellow lines is permitted, so no (painting lines) wouldn't solve anything by itself.

references:
http://www.fta.co.uk/export/sites/fta/_galleries/downloads/pcns/drivercard_1.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/road-markings
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The company in question loads and unloads on (their massive) site. It's one of those buy scrapped cars and sell them to eastern Europe sort of companies.
I assume the problem occurs because the company:

A) Doesn't know who they are, wasn't expecting them or can't sort out their logistics
B) Are not manning the gates properly
C) Have closed and the lorries are waiting around

Regardless. Whether the yellow lines are there and/or being enforced or not, it's clearly a hazard that i hope can be resolved in someway.

Stretch said:
Contact the police. lol, good one.

If you're really concerned, most councils have local area commity meetings once a month, where you local councillor(s) will be available. Raise the issue there, it's normally quite informal and helpful.
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Excuse my ignorance but could you elaborate on why informing the Police isn't a good idea? If only to cross it off as a path to resolution.

Local Council meeting could be a good idea, i shall contact the local Councillor that I've spoken to before and ask about said meetings.
 
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Have you contacted the company in question? Explain that you are aware that they can unload on double yellows but inform them that where they are is dangerous so could they please not park on the bend, but move just before it or something.

I'd also take some photos, explain this and say you will be passing them on to the council and the police. I'm sure causing a dangerous hazard on the roads will carry some type of punishment for the company in question.
 
Jamesyboyjim said:
Have you contacted the company in question? Explain that you are aware that they can unload on double yellows but inform them that where they are is dangerous so could they please not park on the bend, but move just before it or something.

I'd also take some photos, explain this and say you will be passing them on to the council and the police. I'm sure causing a dangerous hazard on the roads will carry some type of punishment for the company in question.
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I haven't but neighbours have, not sure to what extent though. It could be worth ignoring that they have tried and start from scratch myself with the company with photos and explain the situation to them before going further. Then i can get their side of the story first?
 
Rossi~ said:
Excuse my ignorance but could you elaborate on why informing the Police isn't a good idea? If only to cross it off as a path to resolution.

Local Council meeting could be a good idea, i shall contact the local Councillor that I've spoken to before and ask about said meetings.
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Whenever I contact the police about similar incidents (or indeed anything), the stock response is it's someone else's problem i.e. traffic enforcement, local authority etc.

We had a very similar issue with tourist coaches stopping overnight/all day in a road round the corner from me. Eventually signs were put in place, specifically banning coaches. They still stop there... frequently.

We also have a problem with cars parking in the middle of the pavement (blocking cycle lanes & walkway). Apparently it's not an offence unless it's "wilful obstruction", and when pushed to answer what that actually means, they've very vague. Basically, they can't be bothered.

Councillors are the best bet, although they too can be slow of the mark, but most are pretty helpful eventually.
 
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Where do your issues come from? do you regularly use the road and feel it unsafe or do you work in the area? In my experience, if you badger the council enough they will deal with it.
 
Stretch said:
Whenever I contact the police about similar incidents (or indeed anything), the stock response is it's someone else's problem i.e. traffic enforcement, local authority etc.

We had a very similar issue with tourist coaches stopping overnight/all day in a road round the corner from me. Eventually signs were put in place, specifically banning coaches. They still stop there... frequently.

We also have a problem with cars parking in the middle of the pavement (blocking cycle lanes & walkway). Apparently it's not an offence unless it's "wilful obstruction", and when pushed to answer what that actually means, they've very vague. Basically, they can't be bothered.

Councillors are the best bet, although they too can be slow of the mark, but most are pretty helpful eventually.
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It's not about being bothered, it's about having the legal power to actually do anything.

The Police don't have powers to deal with parking issues. That's been given to local authorities, only they can issue parking tickets.

As for wilful obstruction, here is the offence:

Section 137 of the Highways Act 1980 makes it an offence to wilfully obstruct the highway.
137(1) If a person, without lawful authority or excuse, in any way wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway he is guilty of an offence. (penalty - see below)

137(2) repealed

Notes
(i) In the case of Hirst and Agu v CC West Yorks Police (see below) the court suggested that proof of this offence could be considered in three stages.
(ii) A substantial address to a sizeable crowd on a public highway, which meant that the highway was not completely blocked, but was less convenient and commodious, was unlawful obstruction. (Homer v Cadman (1886) 50 JP 454)
(iii) Obstructions of the highway may also be an offence at common law under public nuisance.
(iv) Wilfully does not suggest there must be a conscious intent to obstruct the highway. If the conduct causes an obstruction then it is sufficient to amount to be wilful for the purpose of this offence, however the act must be deliberate, intentional and non-accidental.
(v) See also the following which provide other similar statutory offences -

Section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 which provides the procedure for the removal of persons and vehicles parked at the roadside.
Wilful obstruction of police
Breach of the peace
Public Order Act offences

(vi) Where this offence is continuing there is a power to order the removal of the obstruction - please see also section 137ZA.
(vii) If a defendant continues the conduct for which he has been convicted after being convicted he can become liable for a continuing offence under section 311 of this Act and be also liable to a fine for each day on which the offence is continued.
(viii) In Devon CC v Gateway Foodmarkets Ltd (1990) 154 JP 55 a supermarket was prosecuted for obstructing the pavement with shopping trolleys. The court ruled that a main consideration that should be addressed by the court in case such as this is the size and permanence of the obstruction and the prevention of free access over the whole of the highway.
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The problem is that prosecution for this offence doesn't necessarily remove the issue. To do that, you need a court order.
 
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