Fwiw,I think it's a bit cheeky cutting "her" corner. It looks bad.
Either ,angle grinder the black post, clip the hedge& turn right or artificial grass the verge.
You can't just artificial grass over someone's verve
Op is just lazy and self important, there is lots of room to get that van in it might require a 3 point turn rather than just swinging it in over the grass.
I dont buy those measurements either. The first pic you posted suggests there is more room than that as the van is parked parallel to other cars parked on the same side of the road as rhe red one in the picture.
I think you can do a a 3 or even a 5 point turn reversing back to the left and avoid her grass.
You are causing the arguments. If you had to move your shed, it mustnt have complied but apparently the neighbour was unreasonable. You are cutting up the grass, but again she is apparently the problem by complaining about it.
Yet you come on here and whinge about her. You appear butt hurt that the thread has not gone the way you thought it would and most think you are not doing enough to avoid the problem or the conflict it is causing.
Either speak to her and explain its unavoidable (apparently) or perhaps try some of the suggestions.
Personally i think you couldnt give a shit about your neighbours and so are making no effort.
I'm with the OP. Your boundary, and your neighbour's, ends at your hedge and her brick wall respectively. Grass belongs to the Council and is not your responsibility to maintain.
Easiest solution would be to remove your post and part of your hedge to enable easier access and less chance of damaging Council owned grass verge. As a tradesman you can not work without your tools which will undoubtedly be valuable. For the hard of thinking on here that means you want to make them as safe as possible and not an easy target for thieves. So, yes, reverse onto your driveway.
As regards your neighbour, well I wouldn't lose any sleep over her poor attitude. Some folk are plain nasty.
Good post from CountZero, it would be a different matter if it was a 'lifestyle' vehicle. 🙄
Some folk are plain nasty.
She's an old dear whose probably very lonely & rather unhappy.
I'd cut her some slack & do my best to avoid antagonising her.
What does winding her up win you?...
Easiest solution would be the OP learning how to drive properly.
Grass belongs to the Council and is not your responsibility to maintain
But it is his responsibility to not ruin it. It doesn't really matter who owns the grass, OP is not allowed to do that.
Sorry, I forgot, it's the old ladies fault...
I have to say looking at that pic...
I reckon you swing to the left before turning right & avoid going over the grass really quite easily.
There's a fair bit of room there if you take care..
Seriously need to see a video of you pulling your van off the driveway. It does look (in both pictures) like there is loads of room to do it properly.
Why do you park so far to one side of the driveway by the way? Looks like you are making getting out more difficult tbh.
From that 2nd picture I think I have worked out the problem.
Tymbian, this is you isn't it?
[img] 
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Sure, if it's you doing it to your own grass.if it's someone else doing it to my grass, I'm taking a strop
Strop on dude. I once had a petrol station forecourt on a busy main road with a quarry entrance next to the entrance to my place. I had tipper trucks going over MY grass!
I assume growling lad is joshing.
Right? Right?
It's just Grass maann!
Listen, the old nag has form...she's a trouble maker and we should all just go about our business and not give two hoots about these naysayers.
Why dont you ask the old lady to help you reverse in? She could do that thing old ladies do where they stand on the pavement and spin their hands around to help their tired looking husbands park the Honda jazz
Get rid of post and 3' of hedge, make drive 3' wider, you'll have plenty of room?
as previously stated, or get some of that plastic mesh stuff that you plant into the ground and grass grows through.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Landscaping/d130/Ground+Control/sd3225/Ground+Guard/p94411
But it's not his land to do that?
i also own a van full of expensive tools so can fully understand the need for reversing up the drive.
Those on here suggesting you park up the road really haven't a clue. I wonder how many of them would be happy to park their car 100m up the road overnight, with their mountain bike left in the back?
But, tbh I'm not convinced that you couldn't get out of the drive without cutting up the grass.
If this really is the case, then these are your answer, along with a packet of grass seed. After these went in I'd completely ignore her if she kicked off about anything else, some people just aren't happy unless they're moaning about something!
https://www.sure-green.com/products/porous-pavers-grass-gravel/pp40-grass-gravel-porous-paver-black.php?product=264&utm_source=adrac&utm_medium=shopping&gclid=CIfbuOed49ICFYYaGwodA0oJEQ.
I'm with the OP. Your boundary, and your neighbour's, ends at your hedge and her brick wall respectively. Grass belongs to the Council and is not your responsibility to maintain.
Does it though? Do they own the end of the OP's driveway also?
Does it though? Do they own the end of the OP's driveway also?
If I've read right OP said he's a council tennant, so they own all of it.
Does it though? Do they own the end of the OP's driveway also?
To be fair, mine looks almost identicle, and my property stops at the drain line. There was grass right across with a pedestrian gate previously. So the council made good the grass as part of the driveway in with the cost of the drop kerb.
But as the OP is a council tennant, they did all the work at the same time, which is why it's such a good match, and they own all of it.
(If they sold it, the property line would be the drain line)
Does it though? Do they own the end of the OP's driveway also?
Fair point Cougar and would think, yes, the Council do. Not all houses were built with garages and driveways so clearly a later addition but don't understand why it's concrete. Perhaps the Council insisted?
Wonder how many of you chaps have driven large vans? I have had some experience and it's not easy to manoeuvre on narrow roads with cars opposite.
Back in my younger years I've a lot of experience driving fork lifts, and vans up to 7.5 tonnes and various other small vehicles.
If the OP can't park that van in that space, without churning up the verge he should seriously consider getting a smaller van.
Wonder how many of you chaps have driven large vans? I have had some experience and it's not easy to manoeuvre on narrow roads with cars opposite.
Personally I've driven coaches & large agricultural machinery including artics.
I can't speak for anyone else..
Driven and still drive Fiat Ducatos, renault master.
Once again you're missing the point. When there are cars parked opposite his driveway in a narrow road then it would be hard to avoid. Do any of you people live where parking is at a premium?
So why cant he do a multi point turn when leaving?
Do any of you people live where parking is at a premium?
Yep. And I've driven commercials for years. But as I said, from the pics the OP has posted, there is plenty of room to get out of there.
Maybe not in one sweep, but it's not difficult, and that's the price of driving a big vehicle.
cinnamon_girl - Member
Once again you're missing the point. When there are cars parked opposite his driveway in a narrow road then it would be hard to avoid. Do any of you people live where parking is at a premium?
The only photo we've seen is apparently the OP's van blocking access to his own driveway.
The road is plenty wide enough assuming he doesn't have 2 vans and he's blocking himself in, lol!
I've been away for this and TL:DR....can someone who is'nt Dtf summize?
I think the OP needs to move house.
Wonder how many of you chaps have driven large vans? I have had some experience and it's not easy to manoeuvre on narrow roads with cars opposite.
I haven't any, I couldn't do it either, hence I don't own a large van.
Could you ask her to drive out for you? - then if she goes over the grass, she may be more understanding?
Or, rather than remove the metal post, cut down all of your hedge - you should manage to get in and out no bother then.
Maybe if you stopped clipping curbs like that your suspension wouldn't need so much work on it. 😆
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)
Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Bloody hell but that is pretty damned rich coming from the STW crowd who are constantly posting up threads asking everyone to admire the sodding great van they're considering buying to replace their family car, and now you hypocritical buggers are slagging off someone who has a van that's exactly the same size and who actually needs it for work, instead of wanting one to pose around with.
Love the outrage at a totally imagined hypocrisy.
"You lot" often mention driving Vans so it MUST hypocritical if "you lot" criticise someone else who drives a van for parking/driving badly
So, who in particular has been hypocritical ?
You can't criticise a few thousand people of being hypocritical as "you lot" unless they have all agreed on something.
Summary?
OP needs a grown up to help him park his van and advise him how to be a good neighbour.
This thread is mega lols 😆
Looking at that photo again I just can't understand why the only trashed grass is outside her house? Why can't you come from the other direction and clip the grass to the front of your hedge instead?
Try this: drive out straight then a very gentle turn in and creep back till your back on your drive as close to your hedge/gate post as possible (I see why you park so close to her side so people can get to your front door) but if you come out from as close to your hedge as possible does that help? Also carpet down has to be a winner if there is still a little clipping.
Do any of you people live where parking is at a premium?
London - parking doesn't get more premium..
Tymbian, it's probably not a good idea to ask the council for permission to widen the drive/gate to accommodate a large commercial vehicle. There's likely to be a clause in your tenancy agreement restricting what you're allowed to park there. For example, caravans are often forbidden. Don't do anything to jeopardise your livelihood.
However . . . if a normal car is parked on your drive, there isn't really room for the postman and visitors to get past, is there? So you need to create a footpath running alongside the drive, up to your front door. That's perfectly reasonable, isn't it?
Loving the van driving experts who can judge the situation from a few pics.
Classic OP hating from the self righteous with nothing better to do.
I thought the bad old days had gone...
I'm not going to judge from a few pics but how confident are you in that van OP?
Watch someone else drive it out, and see if they clip the grass, and how much room they have left at the front .
newrobdob - Member
Maybe if you stopped clipping curbs like that your suspension wouldn't need so much work on it.
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)
Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Stalktastic!
If that was my grass, or not my grass but outside my house, I wouldn't care one bit. Life's far too short.
Stalktastic!
I thought that as well. Never would it have occurred to me to check the MOT history on the OP's van.
So her only gripe is you driving over some public land ?
Could be worse. Could be one of them ****s that parks half on the pavement.
Bit like those folk that come on here moaning about folk driving on *not* their grass infront of their house and want to stick rocks out on the council's land an all that.
She needs to get back in her box not her land to be reseeding even if you are being a bit naughty by driving over it it's none of her business if it's not her land.
In years to come, historians would pinpoint this thread as the moment when the great STW Civil War started. Little did the forum denizens know, but soon they would be fighting tooth and nail for either the ProBiddies or ProOP.
Thousands of lives would be lost.....and the grass would run red with blood.....as well as still be a bit rutted.
Fron the 2nd pic it looks like there is a ton of room. I'm calling poor road craft on behalf of the op.
People with poor spacial awareness should really not be allowed to drive anything bigger than a polo.
cynic-al - Member
Loving the van driving experts who can judge the situation from a few pics.
I could put that van in that space, after 8 pints of Stella. I'd have to go to the immense trouble of reversing it for a couple of feet, though.
Road craft!!
I'm sure I posted a big reply but it's not gone through.
Basically, everyone has assumed the OP isn't telling the truth.
How about reviewing your comments and replying on the assumption he IS telling it as it is. That the neighbour is quite simply hateful, the van is simply too long to avoid the grass, can't turn left out of the drive as it's even tighter etc.
Its a bit of grass FFS, who cares?
If he isnt going out of his way to do it then the neighbour should just suck it up, I bet the hardly leave the house and cant even see it.
I could put that van in that space, after 8 pints of Stella. I'd have to go to the immense trouble of reversing it for a couple of feet, though.
Surf-Mattyfez?
If you/ me/ OP/ anyone kept cycling over the grass and it ended up in a state...? I suspect few of us would be that concerned.
However, my view on this specific situation is that the vehicle is not really suited for the driveway if it is not able to be driven into and out of the drive without inconveniencing others.
But how is a small muddy triangle inconveniencing the old so and so?
cynic al has it .
But how is a small muddy triangle inconveniencing the old so and so?
It won't be but some people can't help themselves.
+ what Al said.
Can we just pick sides and fight already?
ProOP
ProOAP.
Pick a side people.
You've parked tight up against her border. If you parked further across, you wouldn't have to hit her grass on the way out. but then you wold be inconvenienced walking up your drive.
So your inconvenience is more important than her grass? nice.
I'm very disappointed my genius (in my eyes) zoolander reference was not picked up. Or maybe it was and deemed too crap to justify comment. 😐
Another visit to the forum finds me now being unable to drive a van correctly. Ive only been driving 30 years. As for the stalker checking MOT stats how sad. Do you know when I bought the vehicle? Why didn't you post that the Only MOT it's had since I owned it it sailed through with no advisories.
The road to the left of my drive is significantly narrower than the right of my drive as the road opens out onto a turning circle sort of area.
All those that can get a 6.5m van turned in a 5m space without alcohol come and try it with your own van..do you drive big throbbing shiny red cars by any chance?
If I was to park on the left of my drive and pull out and turn the rear overhang of the van will scrape the post.
As for the stalker checking MOT stats how sad.
I can't bring myself to read most of the posts on this thread because they're probably shit but agree that whoever that was is a completely sad ****.
In fact, if I was in your shoes right now I'd either delete the pics or replace with the reg number blacked out before some shitbag comes round and fills your exhaust pipe with expanding foam or something.
I'm paying my taxes for the council to maintain the verge and the OP is driving over it damaging it.
I bet he kicks the heads off daffodils too.
I think this must be a troll, we all know people in council houses only claim benefits.
Wonder how many of you chaps have driven large vans?
I've driven many, I used to work for a coachworks company to earn a few bob when I was a student. Used to pick up cab & chassis and deliver fully built flatbeds. Biggest I've driven was right on the limit of a 7.5T licence. I was 20. Also drove a big works van in a later job.
Do any of you people live where parking is at a premium?
Yes.
Its a bit of grass FFS, who cares?
The OP's neighbour, try to keep up. (-:
Let's put this bed.
Let's put this bed.
Next up, putting toothpaste back into the tube.
If I was to park on the left of my drive and pull out and turn the rear overhang of the van will scrape the post.
So you could widen your gate instead of ruining your neighbour grass?
This thread keeps on giving. Intially it was mainly in the OPs favour then shifted to be against him.
to those of you who thinks its OK at what point does damaging public property become OK? If driving over a grassy verge is OK what about knocking over roadsigns that are in your way? How about bollards - inconvenient things they are and get in the way and stop you parking where you want.
Public statues? there are some in Edinburgh blocking spaces that could be used for car parking
At what point does it become wrong to damage public proerty so you canpark?
to the OP - I do sympathise with your wish to keep your tools safe but you need to find another way of doing this so you can avoid doing this damage.
Has already been said..
How have I missed this?
Is it some sort of turf war?
...or give up carpentry, sell my van, sign on, drink cider, repair cars on my drive and front garden for extra cash. I could keep bits of cars in the rear garden for when i need them. Invite my mates round and party til the wee hours..
Can you think of a way of gaining access to your drive without driving over the verge?
Hyperbole and moral superiority what a surprise
Not enough sympathy for the old dear here it seems.
Back in her day, everyone wanted the front of their property to look nice, it reflected on them personally.
If she wants to keep up standards, and her neighbour doesn't care or understand, it must be frustrating for her.
How have I missed this?
Sod's law.
Sod's law.
Yeah, I feel like a right divot. You'd think someone would have grassed.
True, but it's a pretty forlorn state of affairs.
But you must admit, the debate has come a fair way.
Having said that, I'm border this and I'm on the verge of giving up. I can't take any mower.
This punning has got too turf for me. I concede.
tymbian - Member
Let's put this bed.
Stick the bed outside her house.
Ironically, making puerile puns seems to be one of the least childish and stupid things to have happened in this thread.....but at least no one fell out about it.