Is parking here legal?

[SavageHoutkop]

I've finally had enough with the private hire taxis who think they can park right outside Sainsbury's on my way home - 90% of the time, there's one or another parked in the cycle lane. (edit: the driver is actually in the car, so not sure this counts as parking)
It's a double yellow and it's a solid cycle lane to boot.

Before I start complaining very loudly can someone confirm that this is not a legal place to 'park'? Also, if there's any distinction between 'parking' and 'sitting in a stationary vehicle' please let me know....
(and no, they're not just dropping someone off, and even if they were there's a huge car park out the back).

The spot is here:
link
and this link shows clearly a 'no loading at any time' sign

More annoying is it's just after a rather chaotic junction on a major bus route just before a bus stop.
This link shows a good example, and indeed has a taxi parked right where I'm talking about!

If anyone has any ideas how to go about complaining I'm all ears. I've found a 'complain about a taxi' form on my council website.
I'd also like to complain about the non-enforcement of another mandatory cycle lane / double yellow - this one is just people who couldn't be bothered to park down the road and walk to the take away but feel the need to park right outside: I can't show you a link to that one as it seems Google is a bit out of date; but the problem there is you're on a raised cycle path which runs back into the road, and that's where they all park! Leaving no space to cycle around often....

 

[BSRU]

You cannot park in a cycle lane with solid white line, for parking problems you may have to talk to the Police.


140
Cycle lanes. These are shown by road markings and signs. You MUST NOT drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a solid white line during its times of operation. Do not drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a broken white line unless it is unavoidable. You MUST NOT park in any cycle lane whilst waiting restrictions apply.

 

[jonny jeez]

link
and this link shows clearly a 'no loading at any time' sign

Check the local parking restrictions (not loading restrictions, I assume they are different) and check there is no waiting either...if so, then the cycle lane should be kept clear.

Do you have a camera, I would consider making a very, very short video diary of say a weeks worth of rides (edited to 30 seconds) showing how dangerous this is and then sending it to sainsburys, the local police and the local authority. Perhaps even consider some "point of view" footage recorded from the pavement showing the volume of cyclists that are effected by this.

 

[John the Monkey]

I know exactly where you mean.

I'm sure there's a taxi drivers "Top Tips" that says "Avoid expensive fines for parking illegally in Central Manchester by simply parking illegally in Central Manchester."

FWIW, I tend to assume there'll be someone there, and move out at or shortly after the Sainsburys junction. The bike path is more annoying, as the view is often obscured by busses before you're trapped on the blasted thing, although ime, it's blocked less than the mandatory path further up. (Sometimes by lardy types visiting the takeaway, sometimes by delivery vans).

 

[Gixxerman]

Surely you are aware that taxis can park wherever and whenever they want.
It is an unwritten rule.
The only caveats are:
a) that they put on their lazy bastard lights (aka Hazard Lights).
b) they pull back into traffic without waiting for a gap and without indicating.

This same rule applies to owners of big posh cars (Mercs, BMW's, Audis, Jags etc.), school run mums and cashpoint cripples.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

Do you have a camera, I would consider making a very, very short video diary of say a weeks worth of rides (edited to 30 seconds) showing how dangerous this is and then sending it to sainsburys, the local police and the local authority. Perhaps even consider some "point of view" footage recorded from the pavement showing the volume of cyclists that are effected by this.

I don't have a camera proper, but have just decided to stop and photograph the offenders with my phone camera every day.

Telling Sainsbury's is an idea, there is a security guy by that entrance who should have a clear view of when it's happening and could go out and remind them it's illegal....

 

[SavageHoutkop]

FWIW, I tend to assume there'll be someone there, and move out at or shortly after the Sainsburys junction. The bike path is more annoying, as the view is often obscured by busses before you're trapped on the blasted thing, although ime, it's blocked less than the mandatory path further up. (Sometimes by lardy types visiting the takeaway, sometimes by delivery vans).

Yeah, that's a thought, except the surface in that junction is horrible anyway so changing direction mid-flow isn't the best idea (I've scraped my pedal on the huge tar-lump before!).

Not exactly appealing to cyclists who aren't as road savvy and/or who don't have the accelaration to handle it.

And the bike lane is so blinking annoying as to get that right you need to take primary at the preceeding junction; right where the road narrows because of the addition of the lane!
And the cars don't like you doing that either.... nevermind trying to squeeze past a bus...

 

[SavageHoutkop]

Thanks BSRU and Jonny - I presume they are 'waiting' as they are always in the car - is there a legal difference between this and 'loading'?

 

[Jezston]

I wonder why taxi drivers are so easily able to park illegally without impunity?

Is it because if some traffic warden, invariably on his own was to attempt to ticket a taxi driver, there's be about 200 taxi drivers suddenly surrounding him strongly advising him not to?

 

[gaz]

Double yellow lines mean to waiting at any time.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Yep, double yellows or mandatory cycle lane... take your pick... parking on either is illegal.

 

[John the Monkey]

Yeah, that's a thought, except the surface in that junction is horrible anyway so changing direction mid-flow isn't the best idea (I've scraped my pedal on the huge tar-lump before!).

Not exactly appealing to cyclists who aren't as road savvy and/or who don't have the accelaration to handle it.

I'm usually heading that way at around 4:15/4:20 - I've yet to have problems moving out to pass, for what that's worth - clear signal, obvious rear observation & I'm usually let in, if there's not a gap there already. I think folk are so glad to get out of the chaos of Rusholme that they're briefly in a good mood

The bike lane is a PITA when it's blocked, for the reasons you point out. If the council are going to put in these separated lanes, they need to enforce them a bit more strictly than they do at present, as blocking them really puts users at risk.

 

[John the Monkey]

Yep, double yellows or mandatory cycle lane... take your pick... parking on either is illegal.

But enforced by different authorities, I think. Council can enforce the yellow lines, the Police the mandatory lane, hence the duplication.

FWIW, I do see the parking enforcement people at that end of town fairly frequently (at least, more frequently than I see them anywhere else). The big problem is that the drivers doing this are selfish, and evidently don't give a toss about the possibility of getting a fine.

 

[Jezston]

What is the punishment for parking somewhere considered to be dangerous to park in, such as in a mandatory cycle lane with double yellow lines, especially if, say, the lane is a contraflow against traffic?

Would they end up just getting a ticket slapped on their dashboard? Surely considering the danger the sensible response would be immediate towing?

 

[fossyant]

Sainsburys Fallowfield. Top tip - don't use that road = simples.

I don't use Oxford/Wilmslow Road at all - A34 Upper Brook St, then it's eather onto the Dual carriageway at Levenshule end, or I nip down to the road opposite the Armitage Centre, which takes you round the back of sainsburies and on to Parrs Wood Road.

Nightmare of a road that Wilmslow Rd, especially if you've got a bit of speed on.