Camper vans/White vans/Breakdown trucks/Double decker buses/Removal vans etc

[Mel]

I guess it's more of a gripe than anything else… but here goes anyway.
Falkland Road, Fairfield Road, Fairlawn Road, we're surrounded!

We're being taken over by people using this area as a car park. These vehicles are being dropped off at all hours of the night, then revving their engines first thing in the morning, taking over the pavements. One man even seems to be running his business here!

It's like living in a dumping zone. To have the joy of looking out of a living room window at the side of someone's lorry which is then parked there for days is a real treat.

MoanMoanMoan.

[Mel]

Of course, now that I see my gripe in print I am able to calmly remind myself that it's probably because there's nowhere else for the owners to park their vehicles.

[Dan Cook]

I can't decide whether Montpelier is more like Mad Max 2 or Mad Max 3

[steve]

you are not alone. you need to speak to pc simon humphrey ([e-mail]). Similar problems have been discussed at 'police and communities together' (PACT)meetings.
Steve

[davidb]

I agree. Have you approached the council about this? If not I would be willing to perhaps co ordinate a complaint, it may be more effective that way.

david

[Susan Dinnes]

Hello, I have a camper van parked in Montpelier. It is the only vehicle I have as I use my bike on a daily basis. Are you saying that we shouldn't be allowed to park them in our own street. I do NOT live in it.

Susan

[Des Bowring]

I'm sure no one's getting at you personally, it's just that vans etc seem to multiply overnight - perhaps they should be give van contraceptives.

It is a big shame that the community garden at the top of St Andrews Road is almost completely obliterated by parked vans - the garden is a real gem that local people should be able to see and enjoy I reckon.

[Dan Cook]

I didn't even know there was a community garden up there - thanks for enlightening us, Des - I can't be the only one to have lived here for two and a half years and not realised! Why those pesky vans... I oughta...

[Mel]

In response to Susan, this discussion isn't about people parking their vehicle in their street or about camper vans.

This is a very specific discussion about certain areas being used by people who leave their work lorries/vans/trucks etc there and then go off to wherever they live. It is also about people who do live in their vans and buses and have chosen to use this area as their base, therefore adding to the number of very large vehicles that now permanently reside here.

The main reason I don't like it is that I moved to this specific area because I liked the wide streets and to be able to open my curtains and have a feeling of space. That's not what this area has anymore. When I open my curtains in the morning I can usually count around ten large vehicles that have been left here (sometimes more). One guy often leaves broken glass and tires in the street and as he doesn't live in this street, I guess he's not that fussed.

In response to davidb, I don't think that the council would do anything about it. Are any of these people actually doing anything wrong other than change the look and feel of the neighbourhood?

I didn't know there was a community garden there either, Des! I'll go and have a peek and yes, what a shame for people to not be able to enjoy it.

Mad Max, bring it on! 1, 2 and 3 I reckon…

[Beetle]

Having lived her for 16 years, I think I'm right in saying that historically this problem was centred around the top end of Montpelier around the school, where one guy in particular used the streets to store/repair/refurbish vans and trucks before selling them on. The problem tended to diminish in the summers when the vehicles were put to use for the festival season.

I don't know much, but I think I still see him around, and given the general increase in the number of vehicles in the area, it is possible that vehicles such as these now need to be parked further afield, down St Andrews road for example.

Bring on the Controlled Parking Zone!

[steve]

Forget the council - 'parking servces' are absolutely useless. The police are your best approach.

according to pc simon humprey, someone, probalby the person mentioned above continues to collect vans and lorries in montpelier as it is his hobby. The police have prosecuted him I beleive on more than one occasion. I do not know if he is causing the current problem in fairfield but the police do seem to be prepared to act when an obstruction is caused - by car van or lorry.
try [e-mail]

Susan, I have a van too!

steve
I would like to hear from anyone interested in improving things for pedestrians. There are many issues (residents parking scheme, cyclng city, 20mph ....) and there's money, believe me.Mail me direct at
livingstreetsbristolATgmail.com
living streets is a national charity campaigning for the rights of pedestrians.

[Beetle]

Hi Steve

"Hobby" my arse. Obviously all done in cash too.

Just picked up on your pedestrian thing and will contact you to get in the loop. Personally I get more excited by the idea of being a militant cyclist that a militant pedestrian, but then remembered my rant on here about how difficult it is to walk up the pavement because of overhanging vegetation. Will the campaign be issuing members with shears and systemic weedkiller, is it just about pushing back cars, will it include tackling planners on issues of "gated community" residential property, which also contribute to making the streets more of a no-go area?

[Mel]

I wonder if the 'it's only a hobby' guy is the same guy that does his car repair work here. He leaves a truck, a van, a people carrier and whichever vehicle he is currently working on parked next to the old Fairfield school. He arrives by car to do his 'hobby' which gives us the joyful experience of having another of his vehicles here.
He serenades the local residents most days with his engine revving and clanging during the day, sometimes as early as 7.30am. It sure is a treat.

I've seen photos of his truck on other websites too. He seems to be frequently photographed…

I'm interested in improving things for pedestrians too so will look at the webpage.