No Loading at Any Time

[Ashton Red]

The background for this query is that I parked my car off road on a strip of private land (accessed from the public highway) per the attached picture which is a re-enactment a couple of days later. I was in situ approximately 2 hours and returned to find a Parking Charge Notice issued by Bristol City Council. 

 

The notice stated the usual i.e. "your vehicle was observed parked or loading/unloading in a restricted street where waiting and loading/unloading restrictions are in force". In addition to the photo, I have a 3 minute video where I walked from where I was stood to take the photo, to the far end, roughly where you can see the furthest car in the background. The "no loading" sign is on the tall lamp post to the left of the billboard.

 

As a bit of background, parking for the football has been occurring on this land for decades however Bristol City Council have launched a recent new money making initiative where they wait for everyone to park and then literally send in the henchmen in a minibus to block book everyone parked in this spot 15 minutes after kick-off. I was one of the earlier victims in February 22 but it is still happening to the unwary now

 

I appealed the notice, primarily on the grounds that I was not parked in the street but also that the signage was inadequate and that anyway, it relates to the double yellow lines that you can see on the road. Not sure if this is relevant, but I would add that I was not observed loading/unloading by anyone. I was unable to upload my video to support my appeal and therefore asked for a link to submit but this was completely ignored

 

Unsurprisingly, the council didn't overturn their decision and I am now at "notice to owner" stage . I was a little surprised to find that I am being directed to exactly the same site where I initially appealed (?)

 

My question is, does the "no loading" sign apply to the public highway (only) and if so, is this and/or the inadequate signage enough to continue the appeal please 

 

Many thanks

 

IMG20220226153603.pdf

[dx100uk]

its not private land

the highway extends to the property boundary.

 

dx

[Manxman in exile]

Double yellow lines apply to everything up to the property line - including road, pavement, pathway and verges etc.

 

Do you know for a fact that that piece of land where you parked is private? 

[dx100uk]

It can't be 

There's a flyover above it.

 

Dx

[Ashton Red]

Thanks for the replies, here is a bit more information:

 

a). the steel fence separates the strip of land from the railway line on the other side - see aerial map snapshot attached

b). the flyover is exclusively for the Bristol Metro Bus, no other form of transport can use it

 

As for the ownership of the land, it never occurred to me for one second that something that is not the public highway is still considered to be the road for parking offences purposes, we are no longer "Vnuk'ed" so, even if it was previously what could be considered a "public place", it isn't anymore

 

I suspect the land MAY belong to the railway but I am guessing. I am very grateful for the responses to date and am happy to do the research, can anyone suggest a free site where this information might be available please

 

Thank you again

 

Aerial.pdf

[dx100uk]

where you parked is part of the public highway, there are no fences, just a pavement and infrastructure for the flyover, the boundary to the railway land is the fence -of you.

 

pay it and move on.

 

dx

 

[Ashton Red]

Yep, sadly just found it on Council info website per attachment (pre flyover but you can see the foundations for the flyover pillars)

 

Thakns for your time

Council Land Key.pdf

[dx100uk]

sorry for stating the truth.

but soooo many people thing land past a pavement allows them to park.

 

dx