Newbie - Parking Advice

[MeadowsLover]

Hi All,
Currently moving house in the market for a Motorhome/day van type setup. Something I’ll hopefully convert myself as a project.

However, I have a more immediate concern. A new neighbour to the street has started parking a Motorhome on the street. I’m not phased by this I don’t believe it to be an eyesore and hopefully don’t fall under the usual category of moaning neighbours. I’m looking for some advice though. The Motorhome in question is a fair size approx 8m in length. It’s being parked on the path/road which I’m ok about but it’s opposite a junction and has caused a near mis it’s obstructing view for drivers using the junction and those pulling out of opposing properties.I have spoken to the neighbour who is not up for any form of chat about the matter he was quite firm/rude and talked over me before I could raise my safety concern.

hoping you may be able to help on the situation.

Thanks
Bri

 

[Otter Spotter]

Firstly,if it is parked with 15 yards of a junction without lights at night then he is committing a road traffic offence, other than that laws around obstruction parking on pavement etc may come into play. Suggest you have a quite word with your local Bobby or PCSO if you have them, but can I suggest that if you are planning to get a motorhome then do you want warfare if you are both parking on the same street?

 

[MeadowsLover]

Thanks I will do that. I’ve got the space to put one on my drive so should be ok. I’m not out to create a war I just can’t see how it’s safe.

 

[Emmit]

Firstly,if it is parked with 15 yards of a junction without lights at night then he is committing a road traffic offence, other than that laws around obstruction parking on pavement etc may come into play. Suggest you have a quite word with your local Bobby or PCSO if you have them, but can I suggest that if you are planning to get a motorhome then do you want warfare if you are both parking on the same street?

And it's a very fine line between 'Obstruction' and 'Parking in a Dangerous Position' which is an N.I.P. offence and carries, in addition to a fine, Points on the licence.

 

[gus-lopez]

It’s being parked on the path/road which I’m ok about but it’s opposite a junction and has caused a near mis it’s obstructing

Yes what others have said is the offence .What you have to remember is that it is an offence within the prescribed distance of the junction on all sides& including the opposite side even if it is a "T" for ANY type of vehicle.So you'd be doing any neighbour who parks a car /bike as well.
Some councils define it by putting in yellow lines to make it a council parking offence also

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[Emmit]

Whilst I'm long gone from studying 'Stones Justices Manual' (I can see ???? many Funsters breaking into a cold sweat at the mere mention of that tome!!!!)
At 8mts long I assume it's over 3.5 tonnes.
That puts it in the Private Heavy Goods Vehicle Taxation Class. That could mean, and it's only a 'could,' put the owner in the land of use, cause, permit a goods vehicle over 1500(something)Kgs. (I told you it was a long time ago) to be parked on a road during the hours of darkness without lights.

Even engaging a Solicitor to argue that one would be expensive.

 

[MeadowsLover]

Thanks for the help. I suppose I can start with a call to the council and see how it goes. Just to be clear here my concern is the safety aspect of it not the fact it’s a camper on the road etc.

 

[icantremember]

If you let your local caravan dwelling, travelling fraternity know they will solve your problem very soon.

 

[68c]

You say you are moving house, is this situation for your old or new house?
If it is for your old house and it is a new neighbour there, forget it unless it impacts your house sale. If the new house then you are the new neighbour, the van may have been parked there for years. One worry is will you be able to negotiate the junction with the van you wish to buy with the other van parked there.

 

[Deneb]

Whilst I'm long gone from studying 'Stones Justices Manual' (I can see ???? many Funsters breaking into a cold sweat at the mere mention of that tome!!!!)
At 8mts long I assume it's over 3.5 tonnes.
That puts it in the Private Heavy Goods Vehicle Taxation Class. That could mean, and it's only a 'could,' put the owner in the land of use, cause, permit a goods vehicle over 1500(something)Kgs. (I told you it was a long time ago) to be parked on a road during the hours of darkness without lights.

Even engaging a Solicitor to argue that one would be expensive.

It's not a goods vehicle though, it's a motor caravan category M1 passenger vehicle (special types) irrespective of weight, and exempt from the requirement to display lights at night as long as parked in accordance with the other requirements of RVLR 1989, reg. 24(5). Taxation class is a separate matter.

I dealt with a fatal involving a parked MH a few years ago and thoroughly researched that aspect

Even otherwise exempt vehicles are required to display lights if parked so that any part is within 10 metres of a junction though, but how often do you see that practised or enforced in every street!

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[Emmit]

It's not a goods vehicle though, it's a motor caravan category M1 passenger vehicle (special types) irrespective of weight, and exempt from the requirement to display lights at night as long as parked in accordance with the other requirements of RVLR 1989, reg. 24(5). Taxation class is a separate matter.

I dealt with a fatal involving a parked MH a few years ago and thoroughly researched that aspect

Even otherwise exempt vehicles are required to display lights if parked so that any part is within 10 metres of a junction though, but how often do you see that practised or enforced in every street!

I just KNEW! there was a Funster out there that would have dealt with it and KNEW! the answer. I did know about the 'Taxation Class' confusion.

Thanks for clearing that up.