CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh

Blocked access to NEPN

(21 posts)

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  1. gibbo
    Member

    Hey guys,

    I live in Davidson's Mains and tend to access NEPN at the dropped kerb/bollards in Corbiehill Ave.

    The problem is that, recently, access has been blocked by 2 cars parked side by side. (Right in front of the bollards.)

    The council says they can do nothing as there are no parking restrictions on that street.

    And the police say they can do nothing because parking offences have been decriminalised and, therefore, nothing to do with the police.

    Is it just a case of, "Tough luck, cyclist, you're living in car town"? Or is there some law being broken?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  2. Morningsider
    Member

    gibbo - it sounds like the vehicle is causing an obstruction to road users - which includes cyclists and pedestrians. Police officers have powers, under the Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Regulations 1986, to require the owner to move a vehicle if it is causing an obstruction. If the owner refuses to move the vehicle, or cannot be found, then the police can arrange for the vehicle to be moved.

    The trouble is, there is no hard and fast definition of an obstruction. This is all dependent on the judgement of the police officer concerned. Hard to see the police taking any action in this case, but you never know.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  3. Edinburgh Cycle Training
    Member

    Maybe if the local police station had a regular stream of reports of an obstruction...followed a few months later by an FOI ... they may feel compelled to act.

    Maybe not. But maybe.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  4. SRD
    Moderator

    Can't you ask local 'team' to put in an i-bar or double yellows?

    It might take 5+ years, but I bet people would thank you for it.

    also try your local councillors. election coming up, they might be receptive.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  5. gibbo
    Member

    @Morningsider

    Thanks for that info - especially the name of the law, I was trying to find that on google.

    I knew there must be something because the police once told me that, if you park in front of someone's driveway (i.e at the dropped kerb), it's an offence.

    I can't remember if it's only an offence if there's a car in - and can't get out - or if it's always an offence.

    But, either way, there's a law that governs obstructive parking.

    If it's all very vague and comes down to "police judgement", then it's to be expected that they side with drivers over cyclists.

    But there's no reason why that habitual favouritism can't be challenged on the grounds it's discrimination.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  6. gibbo
    Member

    @SRD

    I think my local councillor is a Tory - a party in favour of pavement parking. In which case, I can't see me getting any joy.

    PS What happened to the "no parking on pavements" bill? Did it die because it wasn't made into law prior to the Holyrood elections?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  7. HankChief
    Member

    @Gibbo you should have 3 or 4 Cllrs.

    http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/councillors/search

    Write to them all and see which one wants your vote the most...

    Posted 7 years ago #

  8. Frenchy
    Member

    I think my local councillor is a Tory - a party in favour of pavement parking. In which case, I can't see me getting any joy.

    You have at least three local councillors - try the others. I believe Davidson's Mains is in Almond ward, so these are your councillors: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/councillors/specificWard/1/almond

    Posted 7 years ago #

  9. chdot
    Admin

    Maybe this one is your best chance!

    "

    “I spent a long time working to be the type of councillor the Lib Dems needed and proclaimed about at party conferences and on people’s doorsteps – hard-working, standing up for community empowerment and fighting local causes.

    “Deselection has left me confused about what the Lib Dems want, so I will leave them to it.”

    He said he would continue to work hard for residents of Almond ward, serving as an independent councillor and planned to put himself forward as an independent candidate in the 2017 council elections.

    "

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/alastair-shields-leaves-lib-dems-after-being-dumped-for-vote-1-3981260

    Posted 7 years ago #

  10. gibbo
    Member

    Next time it happens, I'll take a photo and send it to them. Not overly confident that they'll do anything.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  11. DaveC
    Member

    Had you thought of going on to House O'Hill ave and cycling on the (heaven forbid!!) path?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  12. urchaidh
    Member

    Point out it is a wider access issue. I have twins and back in the days of pushing a double buggy around I'd regularly fall foul of crap parking like this, as well as poorly designed chicanes and gates.

    For wheelchair users this is way more than just an inconvenience and I believe the council have a legal duty (Equality Act?) to prevent any obstruction that would discriminate against those with disabilities.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  13. NiallA
    Member

    Gibbo,
    I'm a Davidson's Mains resident too. It was fine when I cycled in that way around 8.30 this morning, but I'd be happy to coordinate complaints/ requests for changes to the Council - if 2 or more of us are doing this, it looks like more off an issue. Perhaps we should get in touch off line also? PM me maybe if you think this would be useful.
    Niall

    Posted 7 years ago #

  14. gibbo
    Member

    @DaveC

    "Had you thought of going on to House O'Hill ave and cycling on the (heaven forbid!!) path?"

    Normally I encounter it when I'm leaving the path. By which time, I have a choice of cycling on the pavement, or getting off my bike and either using the pavement, or backing up and using the House O'Hill route.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  15. gibbo
    Member

    @urchaidh

    I was reading through the laws yesterday and it appears it fits the definition of a road (according to the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984).

    In which case, the fact pavement parking is legal (what's wrong with this country?) shouldn't be a get out.

    The police are responsible for dealing with cars obstructing the road - so their lack of action could be interpreted as discrimination against cyclists.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  16. gibbo
    Member

    @NiallA

    Right now, I need a photo of 2 cars parked there, so I'm making a point of bringing my phone with me whenever it's convenient.

    Once I've got that, I'll talk to the local councillors, and also the council's cycling team (if that's real, rather than imaginary).

    But I'll PM you my email address to see if we can help each other.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  17. crowriver
    Member

    "Tough luck, cyclist, you're living in car town nation"

    FTFY

    Posted 7 years ago #

  18. barnton-to-town
    Member

    Create a bit of noise by banging on the car roof (without causing damage) until the owner appears.

    Repeat as necessary until the not-illegal parking stops and legal path users get the free access they should have.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  19. jonty
    Member

    Have you tried leaving a handwritten note explaining the situation? Sometimes people don't realise the harm they're causing by parking in a particular place but would happily move if told.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  20. gibbo
    Member

    Create a bit of noise by banging on the car roof (without causing damage) until the owner appears.

    I think that may be a bad idea.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  21. gibbo
    Member

    Have you tried leaving a handwritten note explaining the situation?

    When I've had something on me to note the reg numbers, I had been reporting them to the police - who would sometimes take action (by trying to contact the owners) and sometimes claim they couldn't take action.

    Which, to me, suggests the police can take action when they want - i.e. there's a legal basis.

    Posted 7 years ago #

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