Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Neighbour parking car to obstruct bus collecting my disabled husband

(56 Posts)
Dilemma Thu 27-Oct-22 21:18:21

Some of you may recall my earlier post in AIBU about my neighbour blocking the shared dropped kerb outside our adjoining drives with a wheelie bin to stop me driving over "her" half of the dropped kerb. That was resolved when my neighbour realised I was taking photos each day.
Since then, we have built our rear extension to make the house suitable for my wheelchair bound husband, including relaying the drive to make it a lesser slope for the wheelchair. My neighbour objected after the build was finished to the raised height of our rear patio and access path along her fence but the planning department ruled in our favour - our architect dealt with it for free on our behalf. Our builders had several "conversations" with her re parking, not leaning tools against "her" fence etc and she always "supervised" the man who came each week to pump out the Portaloo.
I avoid speaking to her and have found that several other neighbours also take this path.
While the house has improved, my husband's health has deteriorated as might be expected with Lewy Body Dementia and he now has two carers, three times a day, to dress, undress and change his Tena pad as it is not safe for one person to move him. He also goes to daycare twice a week and has recently started being transported by the centre's bus which has a tail lift for wheelchair access. The bus needs to park so that the tail lift is next to the shared dropped kerb. My neighbour does not drive but her son, who shares her house, has two cars, using one for work and the other for weekends. For the last three weeks, the "weekend" car has been parked (legally) outside their house, only on daycentre days, so that the bus cannot park there with the tail lift next to the dropped kerb. This is OK sometimes - the bus turns round and parks outside our house. At other times, parking outside my other neighbour's house, or ours, prevents the bus being able to park at all and it has to park several houses down the street, taking longer to load/unload my husband.
The parked car does not affect my access and, as it only happens twice each week on daycentre days, is clearly aimed at stopping the bus from parking for 5-10 minutes, twice each day, outside her house. The drivers have commented on it and I have explained about my difficult neighbour but I would like any suggestions you may have about how to stop my neighbours from parking, for no purpose, on daycentre days. The son must be in agreement with his mother to park the car outside as it means manoeuvring two cars morning and evening.
The parked car causes minor inconvenience to traffic, including buses and ambulances as we are on a route to the nearest hospital, and increases exhaust fumes from cars waiting to overtake.
I would like my neighbours to cease parking their spare car on the road but I don't know how to do this.
Is it harassment of a disabled person?
Is it, therefore, a "hate" crime?
Would the police and/or council be able to help?
Or should I just ignore it as it affects the bus, but not my access to my drive. It is likely to be temporary as my husband will, inevitably, move to a care home at some stage.
(As a side issue, I will not be able to move once we reach the care home stage as social services would then be able to take half the sale proceeds towards the care home fees. She has lived next door for about 30 years so I guess we are stuck with each other).

icanhandthemback Thu 27-Oct-22 21:24:44

What a hateful family they must be to make your life so difficult when it is difficult enough. I don't have any advice I am afraid. Whilst I'd be tempted to put a couple of tacks under the son's wheels, not only is it illegal but is also likely to increase the despicable behaviour which would not be helpful. All I can say is that I am sorry that you have to put up with this.

Forsythia Thu 27-Oct-22 21:27:36

I agree. They sound awful. Unfortunately if he’s parked legally there’s not much that can be done. They sound very anti social.

mumofmadboys Thu 27-Oct-22 21:31:41

Ignore it! Pathetic behaviour but no point responding. Take care of yourself.

MerylStreep Thu 27-Oct-22 21:38:47

I can’t offer advice on the parking issue but I would say, is: don’t go down the legal route as one day your house will be sold and that complaint will be on record and has to be declared. This could put prospective buyers off.

Ali23 Thu 27-Oct-22 21:40:34

I think I would ask for advice from the police. Could they provide you with cones saying no parking to be put out the night before? This happens at the entrance to a nearby church eg before a funeral or wedding.

Razzamatazz Thu 27-Oct-22 21:51:01

So sorry, how frightening their intelligence level is so low that they purposefully block the day centre bus access. I hope they have heard the saying 'what goes around, comes around' and it bites them in the ass.

paddyann54 Thu 27-Oct-22 21:51:42

would the council mark the parking space as a disabled parking only for you .? My neighbour has a space marked for er so if anyone else parks in it they can be moved .

Dilemma Thu 27-Oct-22 21:58:16

Paddyann - I tried that but we have off road parking so they will not provide a disabled space on the road.
Ali - I like the cones idea & will ask the police; if they say no, may try DIY cones
Thanks, everyone - Gransnet is great for things like this.

Granny23 Thu 27-Oct-22 22:09:27

paddyann54

would the council mark the parking space as a disabled parking only for you .? My neighbour has a space marked for er so if anyone else parks in it they can be moved .

One of my neighbours did this too after her husband needed a wheelchair. This stopped the man across the road from parking in front of her gate.

BigBertha1 Thu 27-Oct-22 22:10:36

Horrible lot. I am sorry you have to put up with this pathetic power play. Best wishes x

Doodledog Thu 27-Oct-22 22:23:39

That is horrible behaviour. I wish you and your husband well. My stepfather had Lewy Body, and I know how cruel it is. Try to rise above the level of your neighbours - I don't know if I believe in karma, but if it exists they are due a massive dose.

Callistemon21 Thu 27-Oct-22 22:28:52

They are horrid - just the kind of neighbour you don't need when you are struggling anyway.

It might be worth phoning the police for advice. They may not do anything but could advise you and might even send someone along to just have a look.

I'd advise not engaging with her at all, she sounds like Trouble.

flowers

25Avalon Thu 27-Oct-22 22:31:13

Do you have community police, as they can come round and chat to neighbours about problem behaviour to see if they can help sort it? If you put cones down your lovely neighbours will probably just chuck them in the hedge. All I can say is what goes round comes round and one day the neighbour may need help. She would do well to remember that.

paddyann54 Thu 27-Oct-22 22:37:21

Its not for parking on though its for access thats not possible if the drive is blocked ,maybe get your GP to give you a letter saying how the stress of getting your OH in and out of the ambulance /bus due to selfish neighbours is making you ill too and you need to be well to care for your OH .Surely the council will do something?

Redhead56 Thu 27-Oct-22 22:44:08

Very sorry you are going through this with despicable neighbours. But do not rise to the bait morons feed on that.

Nannagarra Thu 27-Oct-22 22:45:47

Could you or one of your neighbours who is also having difficulty with them park in the space the son occupies and move the vehicle just before it’s needed?
?

Grammaretto Fri 28-Oct-22 02:48:43

Your neighbours sound miserable creatures.
I am so sorry for you.
Do they get some sort of morbid pleasure in making your life even harder than it already is?
I hope something happens to change the situation soon.

CocoPops Fri 28-Oct-22 04:53:41

I would ignore it, leave them to their pathetic victory and when they realize you won't retaliate they may tire of playing silly buggers.?

Daisymae Fri 28-Oct-22 08:30:49

I wonder about speaking to the son directly. Be super nice and say that your sure he's not aware of the issue but could he kindly leave the space free in the two days that access is needed etc? Be super friendly. Alternatively reapply for a disabled parking space, get your local councillor and M P involved quoting harassment and disability discrimination in your written submissions.

Jaffacake2 Fri 28-Oct-22 09:16:23

Has the son met your husband and seen the extent of his disability ? It may be that his mother has minimised the situation to him . I would take my husband in wheelchair to speak to the son face to face. It would be a powerful statement and difficult for him not to sympathise with your circumstances.
I am so sorry that you are having to deal with such a horrible neighbour.

dogsmother Fri 28-Oct-22 09:32:52

? Lewy body’s is particularly horrible and you can do without the extra stress. Good advise above already. Just companionable cyber hugs from me.

Sar53 Fri 28-Oct-22 09:50:28

I am so sorry that you are going through this. Why are some people so nasty and vindictive.
My mum had Lewy Body Dementia so I know what you and your DH are going through.
I have no solution but I wish you both well xx

Blondiescot Fri 28-Oct-22 11:50:27

How pathetic. Do these people ever stop to think that maybe one day they might find themselves in a similar situation? Karma is a real bitch and I hope one day it does come back to bite them on the backside! I'm not sure what else to suggest, to be honest. You don't want to stoop to their level - and appealing to their better nature suggests they actually have one in the first place.

MissAdventure Fri 28-Oct-22 11:59:23

I'm sure there might be very friendly worded cones you can buy.

They aren't legal, in terms of enforcing a request, but just very nicely and politely ask that space is left.