As is to a degree apparent from the photos, I was using a telephoto lens on my camera - I was in fact a lot further away from the corner than it would appear in some of them - and, as it happens, I wasn’t standing on the road either!

So to ChocolateMousse’s comment.

The van to which you refer is the one that used to be parked outside of keyte Hall, along with other related vehicles - that particular van is no longer there I don’t think! However, your point is a valid one regarding the parking in that area, along with many other spots in the village - indeed there are worse areas in the village, both above the fountain and the Banbury side of the Forge Garage.

The difference from my perspective is that there is ample view around the vehicles parked adjacent to Keyte Hall, provided that people are travelling within the speed limit. They are an inconvenience, but that should be as bad as the situation there gets - the problems though are brought about by the people who do speed through the village (an occasional visit from a “speed enforcement van”, which always parks in the same area, which is indicated by carefully positioned signs which let drivers know that the van can only be operated in a very confined area of the village, is no deterrent at all for “speeders” on 95% of the road in Brailes), people who decide that they are above such petty requirements as “giving way” when they should, and people who would rather extend the number of vehicles parked there than use the frequently empty spaces in the shops’ car park, when visiting the shops.

Car parking has become a universal problem, so the instances of on-road parking is unlikely to decline. The reason for the initial article was to highlight the dangers of parking in dangerous places by drivers, without consideration of or for others. There are a number of places in the area where dangerous parking occurs fairly regularly - the transit van(s) that quite regularly park on the Shipston road will catch someone out one day - it appears to be off-road until one is on top of it - by which time it is too late for the unwary to take the necessary action ie. prepare to stop and give way. The locals are probably mostly aware of it by now, but it only takes one unknowing visitor to the area, in the wrong place at the wrong time, and we have another addition to the gruesome statistics of the Shipston road. I suppose the soon to come 50mph speed limit we are having forced upon us on the Warwickshire section of the B4035 may help with that particular problem, though that particular vehicle will remain a hazard, even at a reduced speed…

Whilst talking of parking and the problems it causes, School Lane really does merit a mention. It is true to say that for a proportion of the week, it is impossible for an ambulance or a fire engine to get past vehicles parked in the lane. It may not be so bad if you need medical attention at the top end of the lane - the ambulance crew can run up the lane, and then stretcher the patient back to their vehicle if required. Not so easy if there happens to be a house or vehicle fire! There is apparently a fire hydrant at the top of the lane, which I understand is no longer checked for access and operation, or maintained, as it is not accessible to the fire service, as their vehicles cannot get up the lane… I’m glad I do not have to worry about that - I could hazard a guess that one’s household and vehicle insurers may be somewhat concerned about the situation though, should one happen to live there.

I have heard on a number of occasions that the response of the police to complaints of obstruction by poor parking in the village is along the lines of “it isn’t a bad thing, it slows traffic in the village down”. Whilst that may be true, it is a rather too easy response, which ignores the reality of the situation - but it does, of course, mean that the police can then be happy that they have “dealt” with the complaint whilst expending no time or effort on the problem…

I can’t comment on “Jammy Dodger’s” comment, as I’m not sure that I fully understand their intended meaning - though I did note the date it was sent…

Will Doherty.

William have alook at the photo below, I’m sure you would agree that the van has not moved since the six years ago this photo was taken.

http://i26.tinypic.com/2zq6b9j.jpg

Peace Out,
ChocolateMousse