BRITS could see their driveways blocked this week by parents returning to the school run.
Experts have issued advice on residents’ rights when it comes to the frustrating move.
The summer holidays are officially over, and as of this week, around nine million kids have headed back to school for the start of the autumn term.
It also means the return of the school run, a time of day that can swiftly become disorderly as many parents try to drop their kids off before lessons start.
The AA stated that around 56 per cent of parents found there to be traffic chaos around their child’s school during both drop-off and pick-up, with 91 per cent stating there isn’t a clear, effective school traffic management plan in place.
For those living near schools, this twice-daily routine can be even more frustrating thanks to one specific issue – blocked driveways.
Read more in motors
NO WAY HOSE-AY
Is it illegal to hose down my driveway during a hosepipe ban? Full rules
PARKING MAD
Mum refuses to stop parking on neighbour’s driveway & blasts notes left on car
A blocked driveway can quickly thwart a resident’s morning, leaving them unable to zip out of their driveways and potentially making them late for work, appointments or even their own school run.
To help residents understand their rights, conveyancing experts at My Home Move Conveyancing have shared advice on what to do if your driveway is blocked, alongside the “school run due diligence” that should be done by anyone thinking about buying a property near a school.
Director at My Home Move Conveyancing, Alistair Singer, said: “As millions of kids head back to the classroom, it can understandably cause serious frustration for homeowners if their driveways are blocked by parents on the school run.
“Blocking a driveway is not only a headache for homeowners, but it could carry real legal consequences for the driver.
Most read in Motors
CORSA’S A CORKA
Vauxhall Corsa GSE is one of the best cars I’ve tried all year
GIMME 5
Leapmotor B05 is a smooth & comfy family hatch – now you can WIN one
CONVEYOR BELT
Inside world’s biggest car factory where a motor is made every ten SECONDS
SUMMER SECURITY
The Thatcham S5 tracker that could cut 25% off insurance starts at £13.50
“While homeowners are well within their rights to report the vehicle, the process entirely depends on whether they are being blocked in or out of the property.
“Homeowners are much more protected if a vehicle is preventing you from leaving your home, because it’s classed as obstruction of the highway.
“If you find yourself blocked in, your first port of call should be your local council’s parking team.
“However, if the situation is particularly urgent, residents can escalate the matter by calling the police’s non-emergency number, which can tow the vehicle.
“For anyone looking to buy a property near a school, this is also a reminder of why doing your due diligence on the surrounding area is so important.
“It’s easy to focus on the property itself during a viewing, but buyers should also consider what the road is like at school drop-off and pick-up times.
“This can help to determine whether parking is readily available, and whether neighbouring properties regularly obstruct access – something that can be proactively addressed by your conveyancer as part of the legal checks, helping to reduce the likelihood of future problems from arising.
“To avoid this stress and frustration, the key takeaway for both homeowners and those looking to buy is to understand the practical realities of parking and access before problems arise.
“For buyers, this can help ensure they’re choosing a home that works for them amid surrounding school environments, while for existing homeowners, knowing their rights and the appropriate steps to take to help prevent the school run from turning into a nightmare of blocked driveways.”