Tiverton Royal Mail and council van drivers 'flout code'

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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THE Royal Mail says it will investigate claims that its drivers in Tiverton are flouting the Highway Code and driving dangerously.

Chris Dunnett, of Bluebell Avenue, has compiled a set of pictures which show mail and council vehicles parked on pavements or close to bends in the road.

The code says drivers must not stop or park on a bend and must not park partially or wholly on the pavement unless signs permit it.

"Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs," the code says.

In addition, Mr Dunnett has complained about overgrown hedges and trees which he says are the council's responsibility.

He has also shot a video which shows a council van being driven half on the pavement in his street.

He contacted with the Gazette after reading a column written by Devon county councillor Des Hannon, who urged householders to do their bit by not parking on pavements and asked them to cut back hedges so as not to hinder pedestrians.

Mr Dunnett says local authorities should get their own houses in order.

"His article, although aimed at private property owners, really sums up nicely my own opinion on the matter of parking on pavements and hedges overhanging public footpaths," Mr Dunnett said.

"However, one of the worst offenders is Mid Devon District Council. The council parks its truck on the pavement in Bluebell Avenue to empty the waste bin and also sometimes parks over a dropped kerb.

"The Highway Code states that you must not park on the pavement or within 10 metres of a junction. Does the council have special dispensation to ignore the rules the rest of us are supposed to follow?

"The Royal Mail vans also sometimes park on the pavement."

Mr Dunnett says he was told that overgrown hedges in Lea Road, between McDonalds and Tesco Express, would be cut back but remain overgrown.

A council spokesman said blamed staff shortages.

"The council can confirm that an order has been raised internally to carry out the removal of branches that are overhanging the footpath in Lea Road," he said.

"Unfortunately, due to staff shortages, there is a delay in carrying out this work.

"Much of Mid Devon's non-essential tree work is carried out during the winter and this often incudes sites where trees are growing over boundaries. On these occasions the property owner is given the option to remove the offending branches themselves instead of waiting until winter."

The council said it would talk to staff about the issue and Viktor Tsvetanov, of the Royal Mail, said that after viewing Mr Dunnett's pictures it would be investigating.

"Royal Mail conducts regular briefing with its delivery staff regarding safe operation of delivery vehicles," he said.

"We're grateful to Mr. Dunnett for bringing this to our attention."

[Lounge Lizard]

A bit remiss of Chris Dunnett, of Bluebell Avenue, not to remind Royal Mail that the van could do with a good wash.

[framusjsx]

some people really need to get a life and stop waiting all day to moan about the postman.

[theboropostie]

I'm 99.99% certain I know which paper he reads....

[Sidley]

[wannabeek]

Some fool sees a stationary vehicle and assumes it is 'parked' there. I had words with someone once as I clearly was not parked, as they claimed, but unloading - a totally different scenario which many don't seem to understand.

[saddlerposty]

A driving instructor on my round quite often parks two wheels on the path while debriefing his pupils at the end of lessons, making it impossible for me pass by, as I walked in the road his window was open, I looked inside at his pupil and said " monkey see monkey do, do this on your test and its an instant fail"
if looks could kill.