Genius Parking Award (Roads)

Wed 6 Aug, 12:16

Sun 3 Aug, 13:10

Sun 3 Aug, 13:01

This may be a close contender for 1st place. Seen 5 minutes ago.

Fri 1 Aug, 21:49 (last edited on Fri 1 Aug, 22:40)

Not everyone gets away with it...:

Fri 1 Aug, 09:14

The parking on Dancers Hill is atrocious this morning.  In addition to Brian Murray’s post there were three cars all parking on the pavement making it impossible to walk on the only pathway up or down the hill. Whilst parking on pavements isn’t illegal, surely blocking the only walkway should carry some sort of penalty.

Thu 31 Jul, 19:35 (last edited on Thu 31 Jul, 19:35)

Some days are better than others for issuing tickets.  Last Saturday I saw one of the team and he said he hadn't found any illegally parked cars that morning, so it does vary widely from day to day.  However I did tell him that this was a sign that his efforts were paying off because surely what we want is that no-one parks illegally in the town.

Thu 31 Jul, 18:05

Sadly not. Failure to reach your target means that you have to go on an improvement program, where the management assist you in developing to help you reach your objective. Continued failure to reach your target is a disciplinary procedure and a written warning. Continual failure to improve means that you are out the door.

Thu 31 Jul, 15:52

Does 50 tickets issued get a bonus payment ???

Thu 31 Jul, 14:50

If you spot an illegally parked car please can you report it at:

https://service.oxfordshire.gov.uk/reportparkedvehicle

The enforcement officers may then come and issue a ticket if they are in the area.

Thu 31 Jul, 12:23

Traffic wardens were out in force in Charlbury last night and ticketing outside the Bull. They were having a good day and at the time that I asked them they had issued 17 tickets. They said they were off to Woodstock next and then Broad street in Oxford. They said that they would easily hit their target of issuing 50 tickets in their shift.

Thu 31 Jul, 11:54

Wes Smith is, I think, still our Community Policing Officer. 

His email used to be: wesley.smith@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

Other Community Policing Officers for Chipping Norton listed here: https://www.police.uk/pu/your-area/thames-valley-police/chipping-norton/?yourlocalpolicingteam=your-team

As the car has been recently moved, it's clearly not abandoned. And that means it should be reported to the police, not simply the Council. I am assuming the car is tied down because its brakes don't work. Various offences to be investigated ... 

Thu 31 Jul, 10:51

When we had a similar problem with a dumped car in the garage area which is private land, I was advised to identify the owner through the DVLA.  We put in an application for the information with £3.50.  The minute we did that someone who described themselves as a Community Police person appeared saying they knew the person responsible and told them to take it away.  It disappeared immediately - driven away illegally I suppose with Police knowledge.

The car was bought at auction and left somewhere free until needed.  The purchaser was identified by the DVLA and lived in Kidlington.   

You can't ring the local police these days, so maybe someone with insider knowledge could get the word out to the Community Police person - they know who to contact and don't buy a used car from Kidlington.

Thu 31 Jul, 10:27

I dont understand why the authorities are so soft on untaxed and no MOT cars. They are not legally allowed on the road so should be removed immediately. Everyone can sign up to MOT reminders from the government website and why wouldn't you have your road tax set to renew automatically? It's ridiculous that moving a car 100 yards up the road means they have to serve another 7 days notice. Remove it, sell it for scrap which should cover removal costs, they might even generate an income from it. 

Wed 30 Jul, 22:53 (last edited on Thu 31 Jul, 08:03)

How about this for audacious parking on Dancers Hill? Not confident of the efficiency of the chocks placed under two of the wheels, the idiot who left this car here secured it to the gully drain cover with a strap and padlock.

The yellow notices on the screen were placed by Publica on behalf of WODC, advising of vehicle destruction unless removed within seven days. Clearly whoever left the car isn’t totally stupid as he knows how to play the system. One notice is dated 22 July when the car was on Woodfield Drive and the other is dated 30 July after the car was moved to Dancers Hill on the 29th. Untaxed since 30 Nov 2024 and without an MOT since 4 March 2025.

Thames Water say that gullies are the responsibility of district councils so perhaps the department of Publica responsible for abandoned cars might liaise with their colleagues responsible for gullies who should be interested from a different viewpoint.

Additionally, there is the question of a parked vehicle obstructing a pavement which is well used by young and old alike, forcing them to walk on the carriageway of a road often busy with some fast-moving traffic.

Wed 30 Jul, 19:33

Park St today. Bus had to mount pavement to pass, a regular occurrence unfortunately. See Stephen Andrew's measurement of road in a post below! It obviously needs double yellows at that narrowest point...

Wed 30 Jul, 16:03

Wed 23 Jul, 17:30

The van parked and vans parked further up had big green permit signs on the dashboard saying "Green site". Not sure where or what that is.

It was loud and chaotic and not enough room for pedestrians. 

Wed 23 Jul, 17:25

It does seem to have been more chaotic than normal today, lots of vans parked up on double yellows. 

Wed 23 Jul, 17:00

Wed 23 Jul, 16:59

Mon 21 Jul, 12:38

Back to regular programming. Opposite the Enstone Rd bus stop.

Sun 20 Jul, 10:20 (last edited on Sun 20 Jul, 10:21)

Kim - how could you not be when they claim to be for the community but clearly attract those who have no respect for it?

Need I remind anyone that they also hosted a certain ex-PM who threw parties whilst people's families members died, promised phantom millions to the NHS, brought Brexit to fruition and showed a blatant disregard for the office which he occupied throughout his two terms? And before anyone tries to absolve them by claiming they can't choose their customers - I already call horse.

Maybe the question should be, why do people act like the Bull saved the town from financial ruin when we have other businesses (the Rosie, the Deli, the Co-op, Banbury Hill Campsite) here that contribute just as much (if not, more) to the town. 

From Madeleine (the other Algar)

Sat 19 Jul, 22:19 (last edited on Sun 20 Jul, 21:06)

Liz if the original planning permission for the bull required 12 parking spaces then my suggestion is that is enforced 

Sat 19 Jul, 20:14

Why are you Algar's so faultfinding, carping and hypercritical of The Bull?

Sat 19 Jul, 17:30

I'm not defending or excusing thoughtless parking, Lesley. Far from it.  I have asked the council to up the regularity of enforcement as you will see earlier on this thread.  Like Richard I would hate to see the bus suspended because it can't get through the town, which is why more enforcement is needed. Apart from asking the Bull to make it clear to their customers that they expect them to park legally, which your councillors have done and which The Bull have not succeeded in doing so far, I haven't heard any other constructive suggestions so if you do have any other bright ideas, by all means let me know.  

Sat 19 Jul, 14:28

I, like Ed, rarely wade in. However, I think Liz does a terrific job and DOES support the community she represents. It is a thankless job and I could never do it.

The driver who parks on a double yellow line knows exactly what they're doing, and that they shouldn't do it. Ditto, parking in a disabled space, or across someone's driveway entrance.

Our town is what it is -- a lovely place that is currently in a media upswing. We are hardly overrun by tourists -- I'd never trade our parking issues with what goes on in places like Oxford, Bibury, or Bourton on the Water. 

The people who park thoughtlessly will do that wherever they go -- it isn't the fault of The Bull. It's the fault of the people who seem to think that rules don't apply to them. Too bad they're all too old for a spanking and being sent to their rooms without dinner.

Over and out.

Sat 19 Jul, 12:40

It would be really nice to see our District Councillor support her constituency in their frustrations rather than defending the rather indefensible actions of the privileged few who, in all likelihood, probably visit the Bull once and then never again. 

It might also be worth re-iterating that we have a few other pubs within Charlbury and a thriving Community Centre that also attracts a lot of tourists. The Bull isn't the only establishment contributing to the town. But maybe, these visitors are the wrong sort? 

Sat 19 Jul, 11:19 (last edited on Sat 19 Jul, 11:31)

My issue with the parking is that it blocks the buses. People with enough money to buy Lamborghinis are putting at risk the mode of transport used by people without enough money to buy a car at all. 

Stagecoach have threatened to withdraw the S3 from Charlbury town centre before because of the issues on Browns Lane. The residents’ parking permits have made a difference there but Church Street is increasingly a problem. 

The Bull could go a long way to help by adding a prominent notice to their booking confirmation emails reminding people to park only in their car park or in designated spaces. 

Sat 19 Jul, 11:10 (last edited on Sat 19 Jul, 11:10)

About 10 years ago there was a planning application from the previous owners for the Bull to be turned into houses.  This would have radically altered the character of the town and made it into nothing more than another dormitory.  Thanks to the efforts of the Town Council (and your District councillors) the Bull was made an asset of community value, and the Bull is now a successful pub at the centre of our community.  I recognise the frustration that people feel about thoughtless parking but I personally think this is a small (and manageable) price to pay for the privilege of living in a town which has a thriving centre, unlike so many other places.

Fri 18 Jul, 21:26

No one has an issue with people visiting Charlbury. But why can’t we also ask that those same visitors respect the town and its inhabitants. Why frame it as an either/or situation?

We can be frustrated at the inconsiderate and illegal parking whilst also interacting and meeting the tourists that arrive. 

Fri 18 Jul, 20:51

I should go on to say, be proud of our town but that means be proud of the way we project ourselves to visitors to our much loved town.

Fri 18 Jul, 20:48

I generally refrain from commenting on the forum but this last week of comments on this thread has led me to break my silence. I would firstly like to point out, that I make the follocomment as a relatively long standing resident and not in my position as a member of the town council. 

Last Friday evening, I witnessed the 3 drivers of "super cars" ( illegally parked) being told to clear off back to London along with a number of unpleasant comments. I reflected , and thought , is this the town that I am proud and lucky to be part of? I totally understand people's frustrations (i live in the thick of it) but people come to Charlbury, not just for The pubs, but because our town is a cool and vibrant place to be. 

Move on to Thursday this week. Trying to park when I came home from work was the worst I can remember in many months. People on this thread have consistently pointed towards the Bull as being the reason we have issues. Just to set the records straight, there was a sizeable function at The BELL for all staff at Ditchley 

Fri 18 Jul, 19:12

Parking fines mean nothing to these morons, but clamps might do the trick!

Fri 18 Jul, 17:34

If the owners of all these “vehicles” are in the pub should they be driving . . . ? Kris

Fri 18 Jul, 15:20 (last edited on Fri 18 Jul, 18:29)

Excellent work Steve ha, ha! Love it.

Our neighbour always used to park their car in the bottom bay on Park Street which is outside their house but they knew how to park there without obstructing buses, lorries etc. However it was their car that was written off very recently by a careless driver (in a mini of all things) so I think they park their new car in the wider section of Park Street now. If people don't realise when parking how tight it can be at the narrowest section of the road then it can cause significant problems for passing larger vehicles...

Fri 18 Jul, 13:08 (last edited on Fri 18 Jul, 13:18)

I've been in touch with the parking enforcement team and have been told that they will be increasing the number of visits from now on.  However they can't be there every minute of the day.  Unfortunately the government controls how much councils can charge for fines and the upper limit outside London is £35 if paid withing 14 days , which is probably not very much for some of these drivers.  This hasn't changed for over a decade so needs to be reviewed.

Fri 18 Jul, 12:46

I have just carried out some actual measurements to hopefully inform the debate. The width of the marked residential parking bay is 2m. The average width of a UK car is 1.8m. The width of a double decker bus is 2.4m. Larger cars can be 2m wide or more. The narrowest available passing space at the bottom of Park St is 2.4m. 

Conclusion: not a good idea to park a larger car in a bay at the bottom of Park St. 

I must get out more, but on my bike - width 600mm

Fri 18 Jul, 12:20 (last edited on Fri 18 Jul, 12:58)

Charlie, having been a town councillor, albeit briefly, I'm aware of the Bull and their attitude to planning rules and environmental regulations. 

Simon, they aren't legally responsible, no, but they could encourage their customers to be more courteous towards the local community. A lot establishments have notices up encouraging their patrons to respect the local community. 

Fri 18 Jul, 12:05

Emily, to some of us at least, it would also be rather nice if The Bull obeyed the Planning Regulations and provided the twelve parking spaces that they have been required to provide since 2016. If you read the nature of the objections to planning application 25/01262/FUL on the WODC site, that will provide some insight.

Fri 18 Jul, 12:04

To be fair to the pubs, I don't think it is their responsibility for how their customers park.

What I found frustrating yesterday was that there was plenty of room in the CO-OP car park. It is just lazy, self entitled rich folk doing want ever they please. 

Fri 18 Jul, 10:32 (last edited on Fri 18 Jul, 11:38)

Agreed Simon. I think they should fine based on their tax code. Those visiting the Bull in their Range Rovers or Porche's aren't going to take any notice of a fine in double digits. 

It also would be nice to see the community-minded Bull remind their customers to park responsibly.

Fri 18 Jul, 10:21

It was like a Range Rover/Land Rover show room in Church Street yesterday evening, mostly parking on the double yellow lines. £30 fine is not a deterrent to someone driving a car worth £100,000.  That's loose change. 

Fri 18 Jul, 09:34

From what I've seen, wardens have been out ticketing every night this week which is great. 

It looks like they're catching around 5-8 an evening (mainly Bull customers from the ones I've seen). 

Fri 18 Jul, 08:19 (last edited on Fri 18 Jul, 13:24)

This picture was taken before residents' parking was introduced but gives you an idea of the situation that can occur on Park Street even when cars park on the pavement.

Thu 17 Jul, 15:47 (last edited on Fri 18 Jul, 13:24)

On Park Street we have residents' parking but at the narrowest part of the road you have to park slightly on the pavement (still within a residents' parking bay) or the buses get stuck and/or have to dangerously and loudly mount the opposite pavement to get past. Large trucks and lorries also have issues getting past easily. I think the residents' parking lines on Park Street need slightly adjusting to allow for more passing space and double yellow lines painted at the narrowest part.

Wing mirrors are often being damaged by passing vehicles and indeed there was a crash quite recently when a (speeding?) car went into the side of a parked car. Both cars were written off.

Thu 17 Jul, 11:14

Within the residents’ parking area, it is forbidden to park on the pavement. The Order setting out the zones requires that vehicles are parked entirely within the painted lines on the carriageway (not footway). 

Thu 17 Jul, 09:10

To walk by the blue truck, pedestrians would need to shrink considerably. No chance for a pushchair or wheelchair to get by.

Wed 16 Jul, 22:20

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/legal/parking-on-the-pavement/

Wed 16 Jul, 22:10

As far as I am aware there is no law against parking on the pavement - except in London; I believe the Highway Code advises that you should leave enough space for wheelchairs and pushchairs to pass.

Wed 16 Jul, 15:03

Wed 16 Jul, 14:59

Mon 14 Jul, 07:38

Are these Bull customers (why else would anyone drive past a clearly marked No Entry sign)? This is not right.

Sun 13 Jul, 18:11

Sun 13 Jul, 08:39

That son of a bachelor nipped into the Disabled space just as I was heading for it on Friday, so I had to do some nifty (or not so nifty) reversing around the corner.   My thanks to the other drivers who tolerated my manoeuvres without so much as a tap on the horn.   

Sat 12 Jul, 16:57 (last edited on Sat 12 Jul, 16:57)

Post vans are apparently allowed to park on double yellows and in disabled spaces when collecting. Fairly sure this comes up regularly

Sat 12 Jul, 16:55

From Friday 5pm.

Sat 12 Jul, 14:06

It was a joke, Harriet. I was attempting humour in a very frustrating situation. 

Sat 12 Jul, 13:54

Emily don't make the automatic assumption that women don't drive that type of vehicle. They're also perfectly capable of parking on double yellows. 

(I used to work for someone who did both. Admittedly I'm not sure where she parked when she visited the Bull)

Sat 12 Jul, 12:52

Looks from your photo Charlie M that three very short men visited the Bull last night...

Sat 12 Jul, 12:22

I wonder why the traffic wardens have no interest in expired MOT'S? You would like to think as its illegal for the car to be on the road that they would get it towed. 

Sat 12 Jul, 00:36 (last edited on Sat 12 Jul, 06:32)

Tonight I present: BEFORE AND AFTER! 

The Traffic Wardens nailed all three, to great applause from the onlookers!

L-R (with reg. nos.): 

Porsche  YS20FCF, Porsche R28CJK, Ferrari F5AGC

Good night Morons, please don't forget to pay your parking tickets.

Interestingly, the Ferrari's MOT expired on 20 May 2025.

Fri 11 Jul, 13:11

Agreed on all points, Simon. Your post also raises an interesting question ...
... if the Bus company's insurance knew that the vehicle was illegally parked, should they have to pay out? In fact the same question could also be raised with reference to the illegally-parked vehicle!, as you previously said!

Fri 11 Jul, 10:51

Charlie, they dont care because there is no real deterrent. If they get a ticket, its around £30 if you pay within so many days. Maybe a simple wheel clamp would be more effective? It least its then causing them an inconvenience. 

If the bus was unfortunate enough to damage the car, I understand that the bus driver gets into trouble, and the car driver claims on the buses insurance. As stated before, if you are parked illegally, you should loose all rights to claim for any damage to your vehicle, how ever it was caused.

Fri 11 Jul, 08:07 (last edited on Fri 11 Jul, 08:08)

This moron's parking meant that the bus needed assistance to get down Church Street last night. They really don't care, do they?

Thu 10 Jul, 16:59 (last edited on Thu 10 Jul, 17:02)

Shocking. From the direction of the bike it looks like they were also going up Browns Lane the wrong way and ignoring the one-way system... Get a chain cutter and throw it in the river!

Thu 10 Jul, 11:41

Sorry I didn’t get the registration plate on this one, but some more bad parking blocking the pavement on Browns Lane:

Tue 8 Jul, 11:07

The wardens were out and about last Friday evening, which was great, but they do tend to generally come during the day when it's not so much of an issue. If there any councillors reading this, perhaps pressure could be put to have them come around on Thursday to Saturday evenings in order to be most effective (as others here have said). 

Mon 7 Jul, 22:42

I chatted to one a week ago Sunday at about 3.45pm in Park Street and he told me he’d booked four cars in Browns Lane. Wasn’t a traffic warden  but a PCSO, I think.

Mon 7 Jul, 10:25

You make a good point Hannen. See them occasionally during week days, but never when they are really needed Friday evening, Saturday evening or Sunday lunch time. 

Sun 6 Jul, 20:09

Incredible.  Are there no traffic wardens?

Sun 6 Jul, 12:05

If that was a 4x4 then you would definitely win Chris. I assume that car wasn't parked?

Sat 5 Jul, 22:18

Sat 5 Jul, 21:08

I raise you one 4x4 on a double yellow and half a disabled parking spot

Sat 5 Jul, 20:19

Sat 5 Jul, 09:24

A problem that will grow in the future- perhaps looking for a solution should be the focus 

Fri 4 Jul, 15:07 (last edited on Fri 4 Jul, 19:32)

Around 20 minutes ago, the Bull's jeep just stopped at the bottom of the junction of Brown's Lane to let guests off and unload their suitcases, blocking a van and two cars for a few minutes. 

I also saw a Landrover Defender park on the grass section of the pavement on the Enstone Road. The driver got out, leaving the driver's door open, blocking the entireity of the pavement and started messing around with the boot. I pushed the door shut and kept walking. In hindsight, I should have taken a photo to add to this collection. 

Thu 3 Jul, 00:55

It was such a lovely day that they thought they would walk to the kerb.  

Wed 2 Jul, 15:36

KS25 OWB:

Thu 26 Jun, 17:12 (last edited on Thu 26 Jun, 17:13)

It will only get worse with the Bull being voted pub of the year

Wed 25 Jun, 16:32

I remember Worth’s coaches taking that exact approach, Simon. A mirror missing and a few scratches should be enough of a consequence for blocking a bus route. 

Wed 25 Jun, 12:17

Maybe the law needs to change that if a vehicle is illegally parked, it loses any "legal protection" it would have from damage. I am sure the bus could have carried on causing minimal damage to itself, but modifying a few panels on the Audi. It would help to educate the parkers who do this as the repairs would be slightly more than the £30 parking ticket.

Wed 25 Jun, 11:37 (last edited on Sat 5 Jul, 20:29)

I heard from more than one source that it has gone round the grapevine that "Everyone ignores the double yellow lines in Charlbury".

I was also told that this moron caused the bus to be delayed by 30 minutes.

One of the most "prized" alternative parking spaces seems to be the (fenced off) entrance to the derelict building site on Hixet Wood. While we're at it, I'd like to suggest a road name for that ... How about VanderNOTbilt Close?

As I have said many times, Charlbury needs an EVENING traffic warden; until that happens, this kind of thing will continue.

By the way ... for pictures on this thread of cars that are parked illegally or moronically, I am using the LIKE button as an MRB (Moron Recognition Button). I trust that this is acceptable.

Tue 24 Jun, 21:00

WR70 KGG: