Our driveways are too small for our cars – we've been told we could be fined for parking there

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  • What is parking like on YOUR street? Email jose.ramos@mailonline.co.uk 

Homeowners living in a new development are having to buy smaller cars after being warned they risk being fined for parking on their own driveways.

Resident Maciej Gawlik complained that the garages and drives on the estate are ‘too small’ for larger vehicles – which put many at risk of overhanging the painted yellow lines.

The 42-year-old was outraged to be told by Southampton City Council, Hants, that he would be fined if his car was parked on his driveway but touched the lines.

He claims at least two of his neighbours have already had fines for parking on their driveways and residents have witnessed as many as two wardens issuing tickets in the area on the same day.

Mr Gawlik, who lives in a new development in the suburb of Harefield, near Bitterne in Southampton said: ‘Despite this being a new development, with many first time buyers with growing families, the garages and driveways have all been built too small,’ he said.

Mr Gawlik claimed he was told by a parking official that he could be fined if his car was parked on his driveway but overhanging the double yellow lines

Mr Gawlik claimed he was told by a parking official that he could be fined if his car was parked on his driveway but overhanging the double yellow lines

He claims at least two of his neighbours have already had fines for parking on their driveways

He claims at least two of his neighbours have already had fines for parking on their driveways 

Mr Gawlik added: 'No thought has been given to the fact we will need family cars.'

Mr Gawlik added: ‘No thought has been given to the fact we will need family cars.’

‘No thought has been given to the fact we will need family cars.’

The homeowner said he cannot use his garage due to his car not fitting inside – and many households with multiple vehicles were forced to risk using their driveways too.

Mr Gawlik claimed he was also told by a parking official that he could be fined if his car was parked on his driveway but overhanging the double yellow lines.

He said: ‘It’s outrageous – so many of the people here have had to downsize their cars just so that they can fit them on their driveway.

‘We have families with five children and they are being squeezed into a tiny Ford Fiesta – all because the council think they can come and make a bit of fast cash.’

Residents say they have been served £30 parking charges, which if not paid within two weeks, will be increased to £70.

Mr Gawlik said: 'It's outrageous - so many of the people here have had to downsize their cars just so that they can fit them on their driveway.

Mr Gawlik said: ‘It’s outrageous – so many of the people here have had to downsize their cars just so that they can fit them on their driveway. 

How far can my car stray on double yellow lines before I get a ticket? 

One can say it’s the million dollar question. Whenever we’re in a hurry and we find a small spot where we can just about park in, it can often be tempting to just go slightly over the double yellow lines.

Some say you can have as much as your front wheel while others say nothing mor ethan a few inches of the boot of bumper.

However they ae in all fact wrong as any part of the car over could be seen as beaching the law. 

Drivers should know that it may be possible to argue the matter is trivial but it may or may not be successful and may still need to fork out the money for the fine. 

The only time when a fine may be appealed is when lines may not be visible, if it’s covered by snow or leaves. 

But snow can melt and so if its visible by the time the warden returns then you run the risk. Fallen leaves may also partially cover the lines and it is up to the officer’s discretion to issue the fine.

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Kelly Taylor, who has lived on the street for eight years, described the situation as ‘ridiculous’.

The 34 year old said: ‘We have absolutely no space for visitors either – one person can’t even visit his mum with cancer because there are no spaces.

‘Another resident just had a hip replacement so parked just outside the door to his flat and was fined – we are being targeted.’

Most of the estate was painted with double yellow lines three years ago to prevent emergency vehicles from being blocked.

Natasha Harding, 37, added: ‘We have an area of wasted green space next to our flat – we approached the council to see if we could buy it and make it another parking space.

‘We were instantly shut down by the council.’

While the flats above had allocated spaces and were less at risk of fines, they were still up in arms about the lack of parking.

In response to the resident’s complaints, Councillor Eamonn Keogh, cabinet member for environment and transport said: ‘Double yellow lines are used to enable the free flow of vehicles, especially emergency vehicles and service vehicles, in any particular area.

‘Residents can request a review of the parking restrictions in their area through the form on our website.

‘Drivers who receive a Penalty Charge Notice are entitled to submit an appeal on our website.’




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