A homeowner has caused outrage after using traffic cones to reserve a parking space on a residential street, sparking debate among neighbours online. The incident was shared on Reddit, where a photo showed two cones placed a car's width apart on the road, with the caption: 'Neighbour's decided to save parking spaces.'
Commenters were quick to condemn the move, with many sharing similar experiences. One wrote: 'Our neighbours moved in and spray painted "no parking" on a space outside their house, it's fair to say it didn't go down well with the rest of the street or their landlord.' Another advised: 'Best advice I've heard when someone self proclaims street space: tell them that’s a great idea, you'd like to do it too - who did they ratify it with at the council? So it can be enforceable and legally theirs.'
Some recounted more dramatic confrontations. One user said: 'Someone did this near my house when there was a local event on with her wheely bins. Some old lady in a tiny car parked perfectly between the 2 as I walked by. The woman trying to block the road was staring out of the window with such anger, absolute legend that old lady.' Another added: 'Had a couple who thought that the space outside across the road from their house was their space. A friend parked his car there and we called back to find it keyed. They had also called the police and explained how they had helped police the area by keying the car. They were absolutely gobsmacked to be the ones in trouble.'
While some joked about taking the cones, others expressed frustration. One commenter said: 'Now I’m very chill about what my neighbours may or may not do, but this would infuriate me.' However, drivers using cones to reserve spaces also risk legal consequences. Under the Highways Act 1980, it is an offence to obstruct the highway without permission from the local highway authority.
