I had occasion to stop on a 'loading' only bay. This caused me to wonder what the regulations are for 'loading'?
Many loading bays state 20 minutes; this one didn't.
How long can you stay?
Can you lock and leave the car?
What item should you be loading in order to qualify - must it be heavy?
Edited by Pugugly {P} on 23/01/2008 at 17:31
|
|
I was told by a traffic warden that it means either delivering / loading a heavy object, or if delivering/loading a number of smaller items. Once you've done your loading you must move your car to somewhere else.
Edited by VR6 on 23/01/2008 at 17:58
|
|
I think VR6 is pretty much right. The traffic warden is allowed to make a subjective judgement as to whether or not the benefit of the loading bay is being abused. The onus would then be upon the driver to prove otherwise in court, if a ticket were issued.
|
|
To most people "loading/unloading" means transferring objects between vehicle and premises - it equally doesn't include waiting or parking before or after loading - that's just common sense, I'll leave wiser contributors to provide a legal definition.
|
Often a question of fact and degree for them above to decide.
The exemption re waiting/loading was held to cover the collection and delivery of goods IN A VEHICLE , but not the mere collection and delivery of goods by a person who happens to be in a vehicle, so if a vehicle is needed for collection or delivery of goods, the vehicle is exempted , but otherwise if the goods to be collected can be carried on the driver's person (i.e. fountain pen or pair of shoes).
Thus is was held in Richards v McKnight [1977] - motorist collected £695 from Bank which he could carry on his person.
Yet a Metropolitan Magistrate held that 'unloading' included taking a LARGE sum of money from a car into a Bank.
Also it is not loading goods to put a small parcel into a private car but it might be if the object was not easily portable was put in a car (laundry basket, chairs etc) Speke v tester [1955].
On length of time - again question of fact and degree.
Van left 18 minutes and driver most of time not engaged in L and D - not exempt.
Taking goods/collecting into premises and delivering there - covered.
Waiting in expectation of a load - not exempt
Leaving a vehicle while driver went off to locate goods - not exempt.
Driver delayed because spilt coffee on his coat and went to dry off - no defence.
The relevant Order should contain just exactly what will be permitted.
dvd
|
What about if I put a heavy box in the car and then unload it onto the ground and back into the car repeatedly whilst Mrs D goes shoe shopping?
Actually now I come to think of it that's a more horrific plot than the Exorcist.
|
|
|
|
I use part of a long loading bay to park when doing handyman stuff in nearby flats in Richmond. Some carrying of step ladders and toolboxes is usually involved. The local parking warden (or whatever she's called) explained what I should do* to avoid being ticketed and it's worked a treat so far, even to the extent that she once made a shopper move out of the bay so I could park there.
*Trade secret!
|
|
Why am I suddenly reminded of Robin Askwith?
|
"Trade secret" = torn scrap of white lined paper with words scribbled "Working at Richmond Co - op" laid on dashboard ?
dvd
|
"Trade secret" = torn scrap of white lined paper with words scribbled "Working at Richmond Co - op" laid on dashboard ? dvd
Laminated, printed A4 paper with contact mobile and organisation (organisation? who am I kidding?) name and address on. And the Co-Op has its own car park. Apart from the foregoing, you are correct in every detail :-)
|
|
|
|
