Generally speaking what’s the law on this? Parking places are like hens teeth where I work but it seems that any Tom, Dick or indeed Harry can rock up in a work van and cordon off half a street – often for weeks at a time.

I understand they have a job to do blah de blah de blah, but surely there must be pretty tight regulations on this kind of thing? I’d imagine one would need fairly heavy clearances with police and local councils.