Above the law? The Royal Mail

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://pedestrianliberation.org/2011/09 ... oyal-mail/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I spotted this royal mail van holding up two busy double-decker buses (with a capacity of over 100 between them) by parking on double yellow lines/no waiting area in Ipswich town centre yesterday. I pointed this out to the driver who took pleasure in getting out of the vehicle again, pointing at the royal crest on the driver’s door saying that this was royal business and they could ignore these irritating little rules; it appears that he is right, along with drivers of diplomatic vehicles they appear to be able to do what they like. I asked him to go and explain that to all the people in the buses but he declined. You will notice from the picture that there is plenty of space to park on the other side of the road avoiding any hold-up. I subsequently spotted two more Royal Mail vans up on pavements in the town soon afterwards. This is not an isolated incident, these folk up in Darwen are also getting pretty upset about their local mail vans as well.

A common theme about this whole parking malarkey is that too many people seen to think that just because it isn’t actually illegal then it must be OK to do it. Here is why it matters in this case. The map below shows where the the van was parked against a background map highlighting bus intensity (yellow is the highest, blue is lowest). Here is the location on Google Streetview. The second photo shows the van in question. Buses cost about £1 per minute to run btw ignoring for now the disruption to many passengers who uses these popular routes.

[DGP1]

A bit insensitive, a bit rude but with extra vans and much less time to deliver more this is going to happen.

Personally I don't park where it's going to cause a problem but some people will.

[clashcityrocker]

Shouldn't someone be complaining about all that scaffolding?
How could you possibly get your trolley down the street?

[NWpostie]

As a universal service provider, I think you can park on double lines in the course of your business as long as you don't cause an obstruction.

Page 67 RM drivers manual 2011

In general you can park on a double line if there is no alternative to do so, only then during the time it is necessary to carry out your duties,
except Double white lines, red routes, pedestrian crossings, urban clearways.

however it does also say you must not stop so as to cause an unnecessary obstruction, opposite another vehicle or road island or a dangerous position such as a bend or bridge.

This is a condensed script, it is not exhaustive.

in short common sense prevails, if possible get the clear from a Police Officer, Traffic warden or car park attendant, if asked or told to move, don't argue, you are liable for your own ticket not RM.

[steven100]

So could a postie bring the mail back saying "Too busy, couldn't stop, i'll try tomorrow". Or is this wilful delay????

[PhilthyPhil]

The parking in both pictures is bad. All that is needed is to park a bit futher up the road so the buses can fit through the gap and in the second pic why park on the pavement rather than just fully on the road? Isn't it actually illegal to park on the pavement? I know some of our drivers are bad but binmen have to be the worst, they stop their lorries anywhere and will hold up dozens of cars by stoping opposite parked cars rather than just move a few meters further up the road, then when they have emptied the bins they leave them in the road or block driveways with them.

[scoobydo79]

I did hear (cant remember where) that a Royal Mail employee can jump a red light if he is delivering a letter containing declaration of war to The Queen.Any one else heard this one?

[fmrPOSTIE]

I did hear (cant remember where) that a Royal Mail employee can jump a red light if he is delivering a letter containing declaration of war to The Queen.Any one else heard this one?

Why do people keep re-posting these crap old myths???

No its not true and never has been.

[Lounge Lizard]

I did hear (cant remember where) that a Royal Mail employee can jump a red light if he is delivering a letter containing declaration of war to The Queen.Any one else heard this one?

Why do people keep re-posting these crap old myths???

No its not true and never has been.

No, as the only universal service provider we do have privileges such as waiting or parking where other vehicles are not allowed, and long may it continue.

[Lounge Lizard]

http://pedestrianliberation.org/2011/09 ... oyal-mail/

I spotted this royal mail van holding up two busy double-decker buses (with a capacity of over 100 between them) by parking on double yellow lines/no waiting area in Ipswich town centre yesterday. I pointed this out to the driver who took pleasure in getting out of the vehicle again, pointing at the royal crest on the driver’s door saying that this was royal business and they could ignore these irritating little rules; it appears that he is right, along with drivers of diplomatic vehicles they appear to be able to do what they like. I asked him to go and explain that to all the people in the buses but he declined. You will notice from the picture that there is plenty of space to park on the other side of the road avoiding any hold-up. I subsequently spotted two more Royal Mail vans up on pavements in the town soon afterwards. This is not an isolated incident, these folk up in Darwen are also getting pretty upset about their local mail vans as well.

A common theme about this whole parking malarkey is that too many people seen to think that just because it isn’t actually illegal then it must be OK to do it. Here is why it matters in this case. The map below shows where the the van was parked against a background map highlighting bus intensity (yellow is the highest, blue is lowest). Here is the location on Google Streetview. The second photo shows the van in question. Buses cost about £1 per minute to run btw ignoring for now the disruption to many passengers who uses these popular routes.

"(with a capacity of over 100 between them)" - but I can only see one person on that bus, and that's probably a tight fisted pensioner using their bus pass to avoid turning the heating on at home.

[pinstripe]

"I spotted this royal mail van holding up two busy double-decker buses (with a capacity of over 100 between them) by parking on double yellow lines/no waiting area in Ipswich town centre yesterday. I pointed this out to the driver who took pleasure in getting out of the vehicle again, pointing at the royal crest on the driver’s door saying that this was royal business and they could ignore these irritating little rules; it appears that he is right, along with drivers of diplomatic vehicles they appear to be able to do what they like. I asked him to go and explain that to all the people in the buses but he declined."



So, his original complaint was that 2 buses were being delayed by the actions of the RM driver, but yet he wanted the driver to cause even further delay by explaining his actions to the passengers on the buses.

Yes I know the RM driver was being inconsiderate where he parked, but what is not clear is;
1. Were the buses already waiting behind him when he stopped
2. Was the vehicle opposite parked in the parking space when he stopped
3. How long either the RM van or the buses were waiting

Maybe it is just me but this guy sounds like a typical moaning faced codger, who prowls the streets with his camera at the ready so he can capture these moments of history changing events.

[POSTMAN]

parking.gif

[ziko]

The Con/Dems are currently cutting public services including buses so this problem will be occuring less and less in the future.