A debate has sparked in a seaside town after a letter was left for a motorist who parked in a residential area. The letter has been labelled "petty" and "childish" by some, however others have backed the author saying people need to be more "considerate" to others.
The row was sparked by a polite letter left on a vehicle in Colwyn Bay over the weekend. The author noted the driver had parked on their road multiple times over the last few months, but was not visiting any residents.
North Wales Live reported that they asked the driver to "consider" their parking, stating "this is a residential road and not a car park." The author also noted there were alternatives in the town, such as local car parks.
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The "highly disappointed" mother of the motorist took to Facebook to share her shock over the letter left for her child. She said her son had been parking in Colwyn Bay, Conwy, twice a week for work over the past four months, and was not causing any problems.
She added: “I would suggest that the person who wrote this note contacts the local council if they have a problem with the parking outside the property - instead of taking their frustration out on a young lad who just wants to work for a living and not cause mischief around the town like others his age.”
Many coastal towns are troubled with parking over the holiday season, however, the driver in this situation was parked on a residential road that lies outside the Colwyn Bay town centre conservation area. It has no parking restrictions, other than some houses with allocated disabled parking.
The post on Facebook gained a lot of support for the mother and her son. One user wrote: "No one has a right to tell anyone where they can and cannot park, as long as the car is insured taxed and has an MOT. If he’s not actually blocking the driveway then what’s the problem?”
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Another motorist noted it wasn’t an isolated example. “I’ve had more letters than parking tickets in the Bay, it’s funny,” he said. Other people labelled the letter-writer as “petty”, “childish” and “ignorant”. One person added: “Don’t you just hate these people who write anonymous letters?”
The mum insisted her son was not blocking residents from exiting or entering their properties, and said she’s worried her son is being constantly observed. “It is disturbing that whoever has put this note on his car is watching him and his whereabouts,” she said.
According to the RAC, it is “perfectly legal” to park outside someone’s house, unless the vehicle is blocking a driveway or a wheel is over a dropped kerb. Its website adds: “Where no parking controls exist, drivers do not have an “automatic spot” for parking outside their homes.”
If, however, a car is parked on a public highway and is blocking access from driveways, councils have the power to act. “But if that car is on a drive, it’s technically on private property – and the council has no authority to remove it,” added the RAC.
The letter-writer suggested there are “plenty of options” for parking in Colwyn Bay other than by their house. One man took issue with this claim. “Yes, there are car parks but you have to pay to use them,” he said. “I refuse to pay to park to go to work! So I drive around Colwyn Bay’s residential roads looking for a space most mornings. There really should be parking available for those who are working in the Bay.”
This was echoed by residential home staff in the area. They claimed they get bombarded by notes left on cars despite the lack of parking restrictions. "It’s absolutely pathetic,” said one, who claimed parking conflicts on the road peaked during the Covid pandemic. “This particular person would come out of their house and have a go at you if you parked outside his house.”
Some residents said that, while the law permits parking for all on many residential streets, there was a “moral” duty to be considerate, especially as elderly residents and their visitors can struggle to park in the specific area. “Be nice, park elsewhere,” said one man. “99% of you would be p****d at someone parking outside your house all the time."
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