This has been bugging me for a while

54and56

Perhaps not the correct forum but as I can't find a "Garda" forum I hope this is the best spot, mods please feel free to move.

I notice in Dublin that some companies such as civil engineering, billboard advertising companies and in particular those maintaining bus shelters or swapping over the advertising posters in business shelters seem to be able to park in bus lanes, on pedestrian paths and on double yellow lines with impunity.

I can kind of understand state or semi state companies not getting tickets for such behaviour but do private companies actually have some sort of official free pass to park on paths, double yellow lines etc?

Indricotherium

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Perhaps not the correct forum but as I can't find a "Garda" forum I hope this is the best spot, mods please feel free to move.

I notice in Dublin that some companies such as civil engineering, billboard advertising companies and in particular those maintaining bus shelters or swapping over the advertising posters in business shelters seem to be able to park in bus lanes, on pedestrian paths and on double yellow lines with impunity.

I can kind of understand state or semi state companies not getting tickets for such behaviour but do private companies actually have some sort of official free pass to park on paths, double yellow lines etc?

I for one much prefer Ireland's discretion / common sense approach to policing issues like this over the likes of England where a camera would be dishing out fines for behaviour like this and other technical rule infractions.

BattleCorp

Indricotherium wrote: »

I for one much prefer Ireland's discretion / common sense approach to policing issues like this over the likes of England where a camera would be dishing out fines for behaviour like this and other technical rule infractions.

That's grand until one of those vans causes an accident where someone gets injured or killed.

Indricotherium

BattleCorp wrote: »

That's grand until one of those vans causes an accident where someone gets injured or killed.

That happens in places where fines are dished out as well. It's not a good deterrent.

Better street design is probably the full answer.

punisher5112

Bus shelter operations would need their van close and over last few years they are all fitted with warning led lights.

Safer to have van just in behind where worker is shielded if there were an accident.

Garda would let these do their job as it's at times important cleaning/ maintenance and ad replacement.

BattleCorp

Indricotherium wrote: »

That happens in places where fines are dished out as well. It's not a good deterrent.

Better street design is probably the full answer.

It's better than allowing a free for all though.

Agreed, better street design is probably the full answer, but that only works when you are building things from scratch. You can't retrofit half of Ireland's streets too easily.

blackwhite

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Perhaps not the correct forum but as I can't find a "Garda" forum I hope this is the best spot, mods please feel free to move.

I notice in Dublin that some companies such as civil engineering, billboard advertising companies and in particular those maintaining bus shelters or swapping over the advertising posters in business shelters seem to be able to park in bus lanes, on pedestrian paths and on double yellow lines with impunity.

I can kind of understand state or semi state companies not getting tickets for such behaviour but do private companies actually have some sort of official free pass to park on paths, double yellow lines etc?

Ireland has a "sure I'll only be a minute" exemption from all parking laws; as can be witnessed by the number of cars (often including Garda vehicles) that are always parked dangerously at places like here whilst they nip in to grab a coffee/sandwich.

Indricotherium

blackwhite wrote: »

Ireland has a "sure I'll only be a minute" exemption from all parking laws; as can be witnessed by the number of cars (often including Garda vehicles) that are always parked dangerously at places like here whilst they nip in to grab a coffee/sandwich.

And by and large the country gets on with it's business.

hullaballoo

Indricotherium wrote: »

And by and large the country gets on with it's business.

That's fine, but because the discretion is applied inconsistently, you end up with a situation where everyone else gets away with it all the time and the one time you say, "fcuk it, I'll only be a minute," you get done!

blackwhite

Indricotherium wrote: »

And by and large the country gets on with it's business.

The junction at Beggars Bush often gets blocked by traffic because of illegally parked cars at both the spot I linked to, and the chipper on South Lotts Rd beside it.

But sure that's all well and good because some lazy f*ckers couldn't be arsed walking the 30m extra from the legal parking spots on both streets.

foggy_lad

hullaballoo wrote: »

That's fine, but because the discretion is applied inconsistently, you end up with a situation where everyone else gets away with it all the time and the one time you say, "fcuk it, I'll only be a minute," you get done!

Then you end up with members in the Dail talking about quashed penalty points for (in)famous people and Garda whistle-blowers in hiding etc

markpb

Indricotherium wrote: »

And by and large the country gets on with it's business.

I hate the phrase "I'm alright Ted" but it perfectly describes your post. What about cyclists who have to join moving traffic to get past them? What about pedestrians trying to cross the road but have limited visibility because of them? What about ambulances stuck in traffic and can't get past because of them?

54and56

markpb wrote: »

I hate the phrase "I'm alright Ted" but it perfectly describes your post. What about cyclists who have to join moving traffic to get past them? What about pedestrians trying to cross the road but have limited visibility because of them? What about ambulances stuck in traffic and can't get past because of them?

Spot on. The culture of turning a blind eye to certain people/companies/entities breaking the law is just wrong IMO. If the bus shelter maintenance companies or ESB require their vehicles to be within X metres of where they are carrying out repairs they should make that case to the RTA or whoever is responsible and providing their case is proven be given permits for such vehicles to be able to park on double yellow lines or on footpaths etc provided they put out warning cones etc.

By having an informal or discretionary policy the number of people who feel they can ignore the rules of the road increases.

Off the top of my head I can think of the following who regularly park on double yellow lines or on footpaths as and when they wish for varying lengths of time in order to carry out their job and I've never once seen them get a ticket:-

- ESB
- Bin lorries
- AdShel/Moore O'Farrell
- An Post
- Council vehicles
- Bord Gais

It's not so much that the public purse is missing out on the value of unwritten tickets its that there's a reason you're not permitted to park on double yellows or footpaths and it's usually safety or traffic related but somehow the aforementioned companies convenience seems to trump public safety or free flowing traffic. Better to discommode thousands of people in traffic jams or reduce safety for pedestrians or cyclists than ask a few guys to park their truck in a safe location which might take a minute or two to walk to :rolleyes:

Indricotherium

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Spot on. The culture of turning a blind eye to certain people/companies/entities breaking the law is just wrong IMO. If the bus shelter maintenance companies or ESB require their vehicles to be within X metres of where they are carrying out repairs they should make that case to the RTA or whoever is responsible and providing their case is proven be given permits for such vehicles to be able to park on double yellow lines or on footpaths etc provided they put out warning cones etc.

By having an informal or discretionary policy the number of people who feel they can ignore the rules of the road increases.

Off the top of my head I can think of the following who regularly park on double yellow lines or on footpaths as and when they wish for varying lengths of time in order to carry out their job and I've never once seen them get a ticket:-

- ESB
- Bin lorries
- AdShel/Moore O'Farrell
- An Post
- Council vehicles
- Bord Gais

It's not so much that the public purse is missing out on the value of unwritten tickets its that there's a reason you're not permitted to park on double yellows or footpaths and it's usually safety or traffic related but somehow the aforementioned companies convenience seems to trump public safety or free flowing traffic. Better to discommode thousands of people in traffic jams or reduce safety for pedestrians or cyclists than ask a few guys to park their truck in a safe location which might take a minute or two to walk to :rolleyes:

I think rigid enforcement of existing traffic regulations would cost a fortune, and wouldn't significantly improve traffic waiting times.

Maintenance of street furniture and deliveries/collections done at night is probably the better solution.

Indricotherium

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Spot on. The culture of turning a blind eye to certain people/companies/entities breaking the law is just wrong IMO. If the bus shelter maintenance companies or ESB require their vehicles to be within X metres of where they are carrying out repairs they should make that case to the RTA or whoever is responsible and providing their case is proven be given permits for such vehicles to be able to park on double yellow lines or on footpaths etc provided they put out warning cones etc.

By having an informal or discretionary policy the number of people who feel they can ignore the rules of the road increases.

Off the top of my head I can think of the following who regularly park on double yellow lines or on footpaths as and when they wish for varying lengths of time in order to carry out their job and I've never once seen them get a ticket:-

- ESB
- Bin lorries
- AdShel/Moore O'Farrell
- An Post
- Council vehicles
- Bord Gais

It's not so much that the public purse is missing out on the value of unwritten tickets its that there's a reason you're not permitted to park on double yellows or footpaths and it's usually safety or traffic related but somehow the aforementioned companies convenience seems to trump public safety or free flowing traffic. Better to discommode thousands of people in traffic jams or reduce safety for pedestrians or cyclists than ask a few guys to park their truck in a safe location which might take a minute or two to walk to :rolleyes:

In other jurisdictions you can't look at a yellow line without getting a fine and traffic doesn't seem to move any better or worse for it.

MeatTwoVeg

I have long considered getting set's of "That's Not Parking!" stickers made up that I could slap on the windscreens of offending vehicles.

Indricotherium

MeatTwoVeg wrote: »

I have long considered getting set's of "That's Not Parking!" stickers made up that I could slap on the windscreens of offending vehicles.

The beauty of Ireland is you could just throw on the hazards and run over to do it.

No need to go arseing about with pay and display and all that.

Staplor

Not trying to be racist, but there's a shop near where i work and the owner consistently parks outside, on both the double yellows and the excuse for a footpath the council provide. I've tried talking to him about it and he pretends he cant speak English, yet he has no problem talking to the local kids at lunch who have to walk around his car on the busy road because he parks so close to the front of his premises. He's apparently known to councillors and others, yet nobody will confront him.

prinzeugen

BattleCorp wrote: »

That's grand until one of those vans causes an accident where someone gets injured or killed.

Its a parked vehicle. If you hit it.. Well

prinzeugen

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Spot on. The culture of turning a blind eye to certain people/companies/entities breaking the law is just wrong IMO. If the bus shelter maintenance companies or ESB require their vehicles to be within X metres of where they are carrying out repairs they should make that case to the RTA or whoever is responsible and providing their case is proven be given permits for such vehicles to be able to park on double yellow lines or on footpaths etc provided they put out warning cones etc.

By having an informal or discretionary policy the number of people who feel they can ignore the rules of the road increases.

Off the top of my head I can think of the following who regularly park on double yellow lines or on footpaths as and when they wish for varying lengths of time in order to carry out their job and I've never once seen them get a ticket:-

- ESB
- Bin lorries
- AdShel/Moore O'Farrell
- An Post
- Council vehicles
- Bord Gais

.

This stopped being a legal thing and turned into a cyclists thing..

All of the above have rights to stop under some law for mail collections, lines down, burst mains etc.

Stupid post. Should ambulances get tickets as well?

Go read the Road Traffic Acts..

Kings Inns or bust

Many people and I'm tempted to say all of us at some point drive/park like bell-ends. There is sod all enforcement and it's amazing we don't have more road deaths, but there it is - we DON'T have that many road deaths so something seems to be working to some degree.

Esel

prinzeugen wrote: »

Its a parked vehicle. If you hit it.. Well

Brain: Engage mouth.

Staplor

Saw another one today, a butcher supplies business, sharpening big knives while double parked (blocking legally parked cars by parking on the road) but he had his park anywhere lights on

JimmyTClarke

Don't fret, my good man. Your hazard lights trump all road traffic acts once activated. It's not just said companies who can avail of this sacred maxim, try it for yourself.

Staplor

The gas bit was he was sharpening massive big ass butchers knives, like the massive machete type knife the butchers has. Right in the middle of the road, I guess nobody would confront a guy with a freshly professionally sharpened meat cleaver and machete, I certainly didn't!!!

Glass fused light

prinzeugen wrote: »

.

This stopped being a legal thing and turned into a cyclists thing..

All of the above have rights to stop under some law for mail collections, lines down, burst mains etc.

Stupid post. Should ambulances get tickets as well?

Go read the Road Traffic Acts..

A parked ambulance had been clamped at Dublin airport in an ambluance bay from memory the airport police maintained they had the authority and while they did apologise they made it clear that occupying the parking spot waiting for an occupant was a concession not a right.

irishtimes dot com/news/ambulance-clamped-at-dublin-airport- 1.415036

Glass fused light

Kings Inns or bust wrote: »

Many people and I'm tempted to say all of us at some point drive/park like bell-ends. There is sod all enforcement and it's amazing we don't have more road deaths, but there it is - we DON'T have that many road deaths so something seems to be working to some degree.

As we get older we acknowledge our bell-end self, so most of us realise the biggest crumple zones in a car are us, and we work harder at trying to avoid having to fix those bendie bits.
Its one of the reasons I like the new h&s ad for construction.

markpb

prinzeugen wrote:

All of the above have rights to stop under some law for mail collections, lines down, burst mains.]Go read the Road Traffic Acts..

I genuinely can't find anything to support this. Can you provide some links?

54and56

prinzeugen wrote: »

.

This stopped being a legal thing and turned into a cyclists safety thing..

Fixed that for ya.

prinzeugen wrote: »

All of the above have rights to stop under some law for mail collections, lines down, burst mains etc.

I don't think private advertising companies like AdShel and Moore O'Farrell have carte blanche parking written into legislation. Perhaps I'm wrong.

The others make sense and I'm glad that's the case but why should some private companies be given a pass whilst others aren't?

prinzeugen wrote: »

.Stupid post. Should ambulances get tickets as well?

Go read the Road Traffic Acts..

Stupid post.

54and56

So, this morning an Adshel van was parked in the bus lane of the Lower Kilmacud Road as the driver did something to the advertising panels on the bus shelter.



All over the city I've seen Adshel vans park in bus lanes, park on double yellow lines, park in cycle lanes and even park up on footpaths and not only does breaking the road traffic laws seem to be standard operating procedure for this business but they appear to do so with complete impunity, I have yet to see a Garda or Traffic warden issue them with a ticket.

They seem to think that by turning safety beacon/hazard lights on their vans it somehow makes them equivalent to the sort of public service or emergency service vehicles which are actually permitted to park where necessary and bus lanes etc.

Can anyone clarify if Adshel have some special permit or licence which absolves them from having to adhere to the road traffic laws the way all other businesses and individuals have to and if not why they are permitted to park wherever they want whenever they want including on a busy a busy commuter bus lane during rush hour?

magentis

Je suis adshel.

54and56

magentis wrote: »

Je suis adshel.

Are you????

shrapnel222

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

So, this morning an Adshel van was parked in the bus lane of the Lower Kilmacud Road as the driver did something to the advertising panels on the bus shelter.



All over the city I've seen Adshel vans park in bus lanes, park on double yellow lines, park in cycle lanes and even park up on footpaths and not only does breaking the road traffic laws seem to be standard operating procedure for this business but they appear to do so with complete impunity, I have yet to see a Garda or Traffic warden issue them with a ticket.

They seem to think that by turning safety beacon/hazard lights on their vans it somehow makes them equivalent to the sort of public service or emergency service vehicles which are actually permitted to park where necessary and bus lanes etc.

Can anyone clarify if Adshel have some special permit or licence which absolves them from having to adhere to the road traffic laws the way all other businesses and individuals have to and if not why they are permitted to park wherever they want whenever they want including on a busy a busy commuter bus lane during rush hour?

do you work for Adshel, as your photo is about the same size as the ones they use on those advertising boards :pac:

54and56

shrapnel222 wrote: »

do you work for Adshel, as your photo is about the same size as the ones they use on those advertising boards :pac:

Boom boom

No!!!!!

borderlinemeath

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Can anyone clarify if Adshel have some special permit or licence which absolves them from having to adhere to the road traffic laws the way all other businesses and individuals have to and if not why they are permitted to park wherever they want whenever they want including on a busy a busy commuter bus lane during rush hour?

What is your definition of busy? That bus lane looks like a lot of other bus lanes in the suburbs. Empty, until the one or two buses that run on it come along. If the adshel van was deliberately blocking a bus from freely moving then there would be an issue but the driver is there to move out of the way if a bus happened to come along. I reckon the bus has just gone as there's nobody waiting at the stop.

Gatling

Another thread about the same thing .

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057650703/1/#post101119093

nuac

post deleted

54and56

borderlinemeath wrote: »

What is your definition of busy? That bus lane looks like a lot of other bus lanes in the suburbs. Empty, until the one or two buses that run on it come along. If the adshel van was deliberately blocking a bus from freely moving then there would be an issue but the driver is there to move out of the way if a bus happened to come along. I reckon the bus has just gone as there's nobody waiting at the stop.

If I'd have shot a video you'd have seen the Adshel van did block vehicles who are authorised to use the bus lane and had to merge into the general lane to pass the Adshel van.

The point I'm trying to figure out is why one private company seems to have a free pass when it comes to respecting the rules ref parking in bus lanes, cycle paths and footpaths whilst other companies doing the same thing but for a different reason get pulled. It just doesn't make any sense. Why can't they park legally like everyone else and walk a few meters to the bus shelter to swap a poster or whatever???

I wouldn't mind if they made a case for special dispensation and were given some sort of licence or permit to do what they're doing but as far as I know they are supposed to adhere to the road traffic laws the same as everyone else yet their standard operating procedure seems to be to break those laws all day every day and it doesn't seem to be a problem.

brian_t

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Why can't they park legally like everyone else and walk a few meters to the bus shelter to swap a poster or whatever???

What happens if they need to replace broken glass.

I would imagine that the revenue generated by the ads on bus shelters goes some way to subsidising cost of the bus shelters.

Having the bus shelters encourages more people to use the buses.

So I would guess that adshel do have permission to park beside the bus shelters in order to service the shelters.

borderlinemeath

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

If I'd have shot a video you'd have seen the Adshel van did block vehicles who are authorised to use the bus lane and had to merge into the general lane to pass the Adshel van.

The point I'm trying to figure out is why one private company seems to have a free pass when it comes to respecting the rules ref parking in bus lanes, cycle paths and footpaths whilst other companies doing the same thing but for a different reason get pulled. It just doesn't make any sense. Why can't they park legally like everyone else and walk a few meters to the bus shelter to swap a poster or whatever???

And have half the stuff nicked out of the back of the van?

I wouldn't mind if they made a case for special dispensation and were given some sort of licence or permit to do what they're doing but as far as I know they are supposed to adhere to the road traffic laws the same as everyone else yet their standard operating procedure seems to be to break those laws all day every day and it doesn't seem to be a problem.

They service the bus shelters and billboards, changing posters, lightbulbs etc. They don't exactly up and leave the van and go for lunch. And you're right, it doesn't seem to be a problem. Because for the vast majority of people, it isn't a problem. It just seems to be getting up your nose for some reason.

54and56

borderlinemeath wrote: »

And have half the stuff nicked out of the back of the van?

So your actually saying that if you have a van full of posters and tools it's ok to park on a bus lane? Does that apply equally to plumbers, carpenters, builders etc etc who might like to keep their vehicle parked in a bus lane so they can keep an eye on it whilst they go about their job? If not why not? Why are Adshel the only one's to whom this apparent dispensation applies?

borderlinemeath wrote: »

They service the bus shelters and billboards, changing posters, lightbulbs etc. They don't exactly up and leave the van and go for lunch. And you're right, it doesn't seem to be a problem. Because for the vast majority of people, it isn't a problem. It just seems to be getting up your nose for some reason.

The problem I have and the reason it gets up my nose (and IMO should get up the nose of all road users) is that the rule of law is supposed to be applied equally without fear or favour and not in a discriminatory fashion. I'd have no problem (as I already said) if DCC gave them a permit to park in bus lanes, cycle lanes and footpaths whilst they carried out their work but to my knowledge they haven't so why are they not treated the same way as plumbers, carpenters and builders etc?

I don't like institutionalised discrimination regardless of how minor or serious it is. Maybe you're ok with that but I'm not.

borderlinemeath

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

So your actually saying that if you have a van full of posters and tools it's ok to park on a bus lane? Does that apply equally to plumbers, carpenters, builders etc etc who might like to keep their vehicle parked in a bus lane so they can keep an eye on it whilst they go about their job? If not why not? Why are Adshel the only one's to whom this apparent dispensation applies?

Sigh.
An adshel employee probably has a set route of poster changes and maintenence on a bus shelter. Not a business or private house where they can avail of safe off street parking and knowing each shelter will take approx 5 minutes at most.

A tradesman won't have as quick a turnaround. Besides they will be on a contract to a business or a private home rather than maintaining a bus shelter and as such, will use the customers premises or home to park their vehicle.

The problem I have and the reason it gets up my nose (and IMO should get up the nose of all road users) is that the rule of law is supposed to be applied equally without fear or favour and not in a discriminatory fashion. I'd have no problem (as I already said) if DCC gave them a permit to park in bus lanes, cycle lanes and footpaths whilst they carried out their work but to my knowledge they haven't so why are they not treated the same way as plumbers, carpenters and builders etc?

I don't like institutionalised discrimination regardless of how minor or serious it is. Maybe you're ok with that but I'm not.

I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill. They're trying to do their job maintaining a public service and you're getting your knickers in a twist over something that has little or no effect on you, sitting in your car getting antsy because you have to let a taxi cut in front of you only to go back into the bus lane and not get in your way at all.

I suspect also that if they were given a permit, as with all companies, there would be certain employees that would abuse it. So better off having them aware that they really shouldn't park in bus lanes but to ensure to make their service prompt otherwise they are in danger of getting a ticket or a fine.

shrapnel222

borderlinemeath wrote: »

I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill. They're trying to do their job maintaining a public service and you're getting your knickers in a twist over something that has little or no effect on you, sitting in your car getting antsy because you have to let a taxi cut in front of you only to go back into the bus lane and not get in your way at all.

I suspect also that if they were given a permit, as with all companies, there would be certain employees that would abuse it. So better off having them aware that they really shouldn't park in bus lanes but to ensure to make their service prompt otherwise they are in danger of getting a ticket or a fine.

it's not a public service, it's a very lucrative business.

borderlinemeath

shrapnel222 wrote: »

it's not a public service, it's a very lucrative business.

In the context of my post - the bus shelter is a service for the public. It is not a customer where you enter their premises to park your business vehicle.

Little CuChulainn

Your assumption is that others doing what adshel is doing would not be treated the same by Gardaí. But if you were to get a job washing the bus shelters or repairing the glass in them you would be treated the same. The rule of law is to be applied equally but Gardaí have a power of discretion to let some things pass and this discretion is also applied equally.

54and56

borderlinemeath wrote: »

Sigh.

Really?

borderlinemeath wrote: »

An adshel employee probably has a set route of poster changes and maintenence on a bus shelter.

No doubt about it. My issue isn't with the employee doing his/her best to meet their daily route targets it's with the business who set a route based on illegal parking rather than legal parking. If Adshel had to obey the law they would have to plan routes accordingly which might mean getting 10 jobs a day (mix of poster replacements and maintenance) done instead of (for example) 20.

borderlinemeath wrote: »

knowing each shelter will take approx 5 minutes at most.

Maybe for a poster change but not to replace a broken pane of glass or whatever.

A major element of this is safety. Parking on bus lanes, cycle paths and footpaths puts other more vulnerable road users at risk. This was amply demonstrated to me this morning when I saw a van (not Adshel) parked on a cycle lane blocking my view of traffic coming and making an exit from the road I was on more difficult/dangerous.

Are you saying the trade off between safety for others and convenience for Adshel is justified? It takes seconds for a situation which should otherwise be safe to become an accident so even if they only park for 5 minutes as you suggest that's a multiple of the time it take for an accident to occur.

borderlinemeath wrote: »

They're trying to do their job maintaining a public service

Since when was putting up advertising posters a public service?

borderlinemeath wrote: »

you're getting your knickers in a twist over something that has little or no effect on you, sitting in your car getting antsy because you have to let a taxi cut in front of you only to go back into the bus lane and not get in your way at all.

Not at all actually. The issue for me is about the equal application of the law for all. If they deserve to park in bus lanes, cycle paths and footpaths why don't DCC just give them a permit to do so? I'd have no complaints with that at all but I suspect the reason it hasn't happened is that no council could justify the trade off between public safety and some convenience for a private company which allows them to lower cost i.e. more jobs done per day = less requirement for staff/vans etc.

borderlinemeath wrote: »

they really shouldn't park in bus lanes

Glad to hear it.

54and56

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

Your assumption is that others doing what adshel is doing would not be treated the same by Gardaí. But if you were to get a job washing the bus shelters or repairing the glass in them you would be treated the same. The rule of law is to be applied equally but Gardaí have a power of discretion to let some things pass and this discretion is also applied equally.

I'm sure there's some merit to this a la emergency vehicles etc being permitted to stop where they need to etc but just because it's a bus shelter doesn't mean it's ok to put the safety of other road users at risk or discommode other road users in order to provide some minor convenience to the service provider. In the example I posted there is legal safe parking less than 150M away. Would parking there really be too much to ask?

Also, would/should discretion apply if all they were doing was replacing advertising posters? What has that got to do with public service?

borderlinemeath

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Really?

No doubt about it. My issue isn't with the employee doing his/her best to meet their daily route targets it's with the business who set a route based on illegal parking rather than legal parking. If Adshel had to obey the law they would have to plan routes accordingly which might mean getting 10 jobs a day (mix of poster replacements and maintenance) done instead of (for example) 20.

Maybe for a poster change but not to replace a broken pane of glass or whatever.

A major element of this is safety. Parking on bus lanes, cycle paths and footpaths puts other more vulnerable road users at risk. This was amply demonstrated to me this morning when I saw a van (not Adshel) parked on a cycle lane blocking my view of traffic coming and making an exit from the road I was on more difficult/dangerous.

Sigh, again.

So your vision was impaired by somebody parked illegally in a cycle lane. Not Adshel working at a bus stop.

Are you saying the trade off between safety for others and convenience for Adshel is justified? It takes seconds for a situation which should otherwise be safe to become an accident so even if they only park for 5 minutes as you suggest that's a multiple of the time it take for an accident to occur.

I don't see anything unsafe with your photo. Slightly inconvenient to cycle around or drive around but the van is well lit, on a straight and not blocking pedestrians or an upcoming junction. Bus stops tend to be in safe enough places like that you see. Some of them even have dedicated pull ins for the bus so others can overtake safely.

Since when was putting up advertising posters a public service?

See my previous post. It's a service in a public place, not a business or private home where they use their parking.

Not at all actually. The issue for me is about the equal application of the law for all. If they deserve to park in bus lanes, cycle paths and footpaths why don't DCC just give them a permit to do so? I'd have no complaints with that at all but I suspect the reason it hasn't happened is that no council could justify the trade off between public safety and some convenience for a private company which allows them to lower cost i.e. more jobs done per day = less requirement for staff/vans etc.

Glad to hear it.

As I already stated they would probably have employees that would abuse it. Plus they aren't an emergency service.

54and56

borderlinemeath wrote: »

Sigh, again.

Good on ya. Take deep breaths, it'll help apparently.

borderlinemeath wrote: »

So your vision was impaired by somebody parked illegally in a cycle lane. Not Adshel working at a bus stop.

Correct and the point I was making is that someone exiting a road down from the parked Adshel van would be visually impaired in the same way. Safety outweighs minor convenience in my book.

borderlinemeath wrote: »

I don't see anything unsafe with your photo. Slightly inconvenient to cycle around or drive around but the van is well lit, on a straight and not blocking pedestrians or an upcoming junction.

150m down the road past the parked Adshel van is a housing estate. People exiting that estate were having their view of the road blocked by the Adshel van. Also, by parking in the bus lane the Adshel van was forcing cyclists using the bus lane into the main vehicle lane in order to get around the Adshel van. Maybe not a problem for you (or me as I don't cycle to work) but I have two family members who do and I'd put their safety ahead of Adshels convenience.

borderlinemeath wrote: »

Plus they aren't an emergency service.

No they're not. They are a private company who should adhere to the road traffic laws the same as all other private companies. If they need or deserve a permit to park in bus lanes, cycle paths and footpaths in order to do their business they should apply for and be granted a permit to do so but they haven't and I wonder why?

Esel

A cyclist would not have to change lanes to pass that van.

You say that such parking is dangerous, yet if they had a permit it would be OK???

punisher5112

I have absolutely no problem with adshell doing their job as they need the van for all their equipment.

Dangerous parking or blocking foot paths is a problem.

Bus lane doesn't usually cause hassle and to be honest they don't be there long but in saying that another issue on safety side is while they are working on a shelter especially ones facing into the road the van can act as a buffer or safety zone(block).