FIXMYSTREET IN SR3 4NL
The following problems have been reported on Fix My Street within 2 miles of SR3 4NL:
Illegal Parking & Parking on Pavement, 30th March
I am writing this letter in relation to two vehicles owned by the same person who parks in a dangerous manner in Morpeth Drive, Moorside, Sunderland.
The owner of the vehicles in question is a man who resides in Milcombe Close, who for the last few months has been parking his car and a commercial van, on the pavement opposite number 3 and 4 Morpeth Drive.
The two vehicles concerned are a black coloured VW Tiguan, Registered number ND20 VGL, and a white coloured Renault Master flatbed van, Registered number BF05 WXG.
Both vehicles are parked either just on the pavement or well over the pavement, thereby blocking the view of any pedestrians, wheelchair users, or mothers with prams/children who are forced at times to step more than halfway into the live carriage way in order to see past these two vehicles for any oncoming traffic entering Morpeth Drive because of the unlawful way these vehicles are parked. This is creating a very dangerous situation, not only for pedestrians, but drivers of other vehicles.
They are also parked in such a manner as to obstruct the view of anyone emerging from their driveways onto Morpeth Drive and are affecting how drivers are forced to emerge from their driveways, causing vehicles to have to emerge further into Morpeth Drive from their driveways than is really safe. The turning circle of some occupants is reduced due to the way these vehicles are parked, meaning they have to emerge into Morpeth Drive and begin a series of manoeuvres similar to a 3 point turn in a live carriage just to get off their drives.
This situation applies to the occupants of numbers 3, and 5 Morpeth Drive, 2, Merrion Close as well as the occupants opposite at number 10,12, and 14 Morpeth Drive.
The owner of these vehicles lives in a flat in Milcombe Close, Moorside.
I am aware that the residents of Morpeth Drive have spoken with the male resident from Milcombe Close, which has parking provided for the residents of those flats in a central position in Milcombe Close itself.
Most residents in Milcombe Close use the parking provided in Milcombe Close, but for some reason the vehicle owner of the obstructing vehicles chooses not to, and despite promises not to park in the obstructive manner he does, he has continued to park his two vehicles where they can cause the greatest amount of friction with his nearby neighbours. This likely amounts to wilful obstruction of the highway as he is aware he is causing a problem for other residents, road users, emergency vehicles and pedestrians alike.
What is clear is that the obstructing driver is not going to co-operate freely to resolve this matter, and that some kind of enforcement action will need to be taken by the Council.
Council responsibilities
It is my understanding that Sunderland Council are responsible for maintaining and repairing pavements, and also for clearing any obstructions from the Highways.
Under the Highways Act 1980, the council has powers, as the Highway Authority, to ensure that the highways are kept clear of any obstructions. The council has the power to serve notice on a person who commits an offence of wilful obstruction of the highway and can, under certain circumstances, remove the obstruction and recharge the offender any costs involved. The Council are also responsible for dealing with damage to pavements and ensuring there is no risk to public safety.
There are a number of Statutory rules and regulations being breached by the actions of this one inconsiderate individual and I have mentioned just a few.
You may see from the pictures attached to this letter that the rear wheels of the van are parked in the entrance to a junction itself. Under rule 243 of the highway code you are not allowed to park opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space.
Road Traffic Act 1998:
34. Prohibition of driving mechanically propelled vehicles elsewhere than on roads.
(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, if without lawful authority a person drives a mechanically propelled vehicle (a)on to or upon any common land, moorland or land of any other description, not being land forming part of a road, or (b)on any road being a footpath, bridleway or restricted byway, he is guilty of an offence.
Highway Code:
145. You MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property, or in the case of an emergency. Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & RTA 1988 sect 34
239 Use off-street parking areas, or bays marked out with white lines on the road as parking places, wherever possible. If you have to stop on the roadside: do not park facing against the traffic flow stop as close as you can to the side do not stop too close to a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge: remember, the occupant may need more room to get in or out you MUST switch off the engine, headlights and fog lights you MUST apply the handbrake before leaving the vehicle you MUST ensure you do not hit anyone when you open your door. Check for cyclists or other traffic by looking all around and using your mirrors where you are able to do so, you should open the door using your hand on the opposite side to the door you are opening; for example, use your left hand to open a door on your right-hand side. This will make you turn your head to look over your shoulder. You are then more likely to avoid causing injury to cyclists or motorcyclists passing you on the road, or to people on the pavement it is safer for your passengers (especially children) to get out of the vehicle on the side next to the kerb put all valuables out of sight and make sure your vehicle is secure lock your vehicle.
242 You MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road. Laws RTA 1988, sect 22 & CUR reg 103
243 DO NOT stop or park near a school entrance anywhere you would prevent access for Emergency Services at or near a bus or tram stop or taxi rank on the approach to a level crossing/tramway crossing opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space near the brow of a hill or hump bridge opposite a traffic island or (if this would cause an obstruction) another parked vehicle where you would force other traffic to enter a tram lane where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles in front of an entrance to a property on a bend where you would obstruct cyclists use of cycle facilities except when forced to do so by stationary traffic.
244 You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it. Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs. Law GL(GP)A sect 15
248 You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space. Laws CUR reg 101 & RVLR reg 24
250 Cars, goods vehicles not exceeding 1525 kg unladen weight, invalid carriages, motorcycles and pedal cycles may be parked without lights on a road (or lay-by) with a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) or less if they are: at least 10 metres (32 feet) away from any junction, close to the kerb and facing in the direction of the traffic flow in a recognised parking place or lay-by. Other vehicles and trailers, and all vehicles with projecting loads, MUST NOT be left on a road at night without lights. Laws RVLR reg 24 & CUR reg 82(7)
I trust the City Council will step in to halt this dangerous parking and obstruction by these two vehicles.
Yours sincerely
Brian McGrath.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by OpenStreetMap): Morpeth Drive, Moorside, Sunderland
Report on FixMyStreet
Parking on a crossing, 28th March
Driver parked on crossing outside of christ college school also there is a lollypop person who uses this crossing
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by OpenStreetMap): Pennywell Road, Grindon, Sunderland
Report on FixMyStreet
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Lights, 13th March
The lights arent on
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by OpenStreetMap): Chester Road, Chester Gate, Sunderland
Report on FixMyStreet
Pothole around manhole cover, 6th March
Potholes round manhole
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by OpenStreetMap): Ski View, Lakeside, Sunderland
Report on FixMyStreet
Central reservation thick with litter, 2nd March
Central reservations thick with rubbish. You apparently pick 4 times a year!!!!!
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by OpenStreetMap): A19, Sunderland
Report on FixMyStreet
Lack of lane guidance, 25th February
On the A690 from Durham, approaching the Herrington Interchange, local knowledge is that to continue straight on into Sunderland on the A690 it is necessary to take the outside lane. However, for drivers not familiar with this road, there are no signs to indicate this. Also, the road markings indicate the inside lane is suitable to go straight on the A690. However, once the road begins to bear left, the road markings change to indicate this lane is for the A19 slip road. This results in drivers having to make a quick, potentially dangerous, lane change just before the traffic lights. Signs on the interchande approach advising inside lane for A19 North and outside lane for A690 Sunderland and Doxford Business Park would resolve this problem.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by OpenStreetMap): Herrington Interchange, Moorside, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland
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Pot holes in road, 7th February
Pot holes in road
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by OpenStreetMap): Silksworth Lane, Lakeside, Sunderland
Report on FixMyStreet
Centre oof road large movement and cracking and sinking, 2nd February
About 2 months and getting worse
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by OpenStreetMap): Portslade Road, Pennywell, Sunderland
Report on FixMyStreet
Graffiti on bridge support, 29th November
Graffiti on bridge support carrying Foxcover Road over A19. Graffiti is on bridge support on southbound carriageway of A19 on south side. Graffiti has been there for sometime.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by OpenStreetMap): A19, Sunderland
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Trees and hedges overgrown, 3rd October
The trees and hedges are overgrown and weeds are everywhere
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by OpenStreetMap): Shrewsbury Crescent, Plains Farm, Sunderland
Report on FixMyStreet
Pavement surface breaking away, 14th September
Top layer of the footpath is coming away and starting to become a trip hazard, it will only get worse
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by OpenStreetMap): Beckwith Green, Sunderland
Report on FixMyStreet
Manhole dropped, 2nd August
The manhole cover is a lot lower that road surface and like a pothole when you run over it
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by OpenStreetMap): City Way, Moorside, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland
Report on FixMyStreet
Illegal and dangerous parking, 26th July
This has been reported to the police and local councillors previously on numerous occasions. The person living at the location and their relatives continue to drive over a grassed area, where pedestrians and dog walkers are regularly passing. I am aware they have been spoken to in the past and are continuing with this dangerous practice.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by OpenStreetMap): Longmeadows, Moorside, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland
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Drain lid, 23rd July
Drain lid missing
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by OpenStreetMap): Glover Road, Sunderland
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Curb damaged, 23rd July
A curb is smashed in the square.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by OpenStreetMap): Glover Square, Sunderland
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Vision blocked by very high weed growth, 28th May
Outside the entrance to the park, on the road of West Park, there is a point to stop and give way to oncoming traffic. The cars travelling up the incline have right of way. The weeds beside the park wall are currently so tall, that with the angle of the road, it is difficult to see if there are actually any vehicles, coming up the road. They block your vision to the right.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by OpenStreetMap): West Park, Park Lea, Sunderland
Report on FixMyStreet
Excrement in cut from school to Warwick drive, 3rd May
Health hazard- kids walking through it on way to and from school.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): 6 Arundel Gardens, Saint Chad's
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Light not working, 30th April
Street light not working approx here.
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): City Way, Moorside
Report on FixMyStreet
Animal fouling (horse and dog), 24th April
There is a narrow path than is used to link Warwick Drive to Balmoral Terrace and it is heavily used for access to school. Unfortunately it is littered with dog extremely and today someone in their infinite wisdom has took a horse down which has fouled in the middle of the path
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): 6 Arundel Gardens, Saint Chad's
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Multiple potholes coming off / going on to Durham road a690, 18th April
Pot holes have been gradually getting worse and more in number
Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): 169 Durham Road, Barnes
Report on FixMyStreet
Pot holes. Anti social behaviour. Abandoned cars. Bins overflowing.
Few neighbourhoods aren't blighted with these types of problems that frustrate the local community. They're becoming increasingly common. Luckily, there's a website called 'FixMyStreet', which allows residents to complain to the local council about local issues in the neighbourhood.
We've got hold of the data from FixMyStreet, to show problems and issues reported within a couple of miles radius of SR3 4NL.
Useful Resources
- Gov.uk
Report a noise nuisance to your local council, including loud music, noisy pubs, rowdy parties or barking dogs. - Citizens Advice
Information from Citizens Advice about complaining about your neighbour. - HomeOwners Alliance
Guidance for homeowners how to deal with noisy neighbours who are making your life a misery. - FixMyStreet
Report, view or discuss local problems such as graffiti, fly-tipping, broken paving slabs or street lighting.
