A Bristol mum has ignited a heated neighbourhood row after refusing to cease parking close to a disputed driveway regardless of a barrage of handwritten complaints.
Astrid Cooper (Picture: Kennedy)
A mum has sparked a fierce neighbourhood debate after insisting she is going to proceed parking partly throughout her neighbour’s driveway — regardless of repeated complaints and a string of indignant notes left on her automobile. Astrid Cooper, 34, says tensions started after her neighbour transformed a entrance backyard right into a driveway round a yr in the past. Since then, Astrid claims anybody parking exterior the property is met with handwritten messages demanding they transfer.
The mum-of-two, from Bristol, shared footage on-line exhibiting notes caught to her automobile, together with ones studying “cease”, “cease parking right here” and “are you able to park your automobile down barely and never throughout my drive”. Though Astrid accepts she is partly parked on the pavement, she argues she will not be truly blocking entry to the driveway and says the complaints have change into extreme.
We use your sign-up to offer content material in methods you’ve got consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This will likely embrace adverts from us and third events based mostly on our understanding. You’ll be able to unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
She additionally claims the driveway doesn’t have an official dropped kerb, which Bristol Metropolis Council says is required for authorized automobile entry.
Astrid stated the difficulty has divided native residents, with some siding together with her neighbour whereas others imagine the notes are pointless.
“She’s been doing this ever since she turned her entrance backyard right into a driveway,” Astrid stated.
“I used to be truly chatting to neighbours about it, she leaves notes on everybody’s vehicles. Anybody that parks in that area will get a notice on their automobile.”
The dispute comes as councils throughout England are anticipated to realize stronger powers to crack down on pavement parking following the English Devolution and Neighborhood Empowerment Invoice receiving royal assent final month.
Astrid Cooper stated her neighbour turned her entrance backyard right into a driveway a yr in the past (Picture: Kennedy)
Astrid admitted she understands why some folks object to parking on pavements, however believes the scenario is being blown out of proportion.
“I completely get that by regulation you’re not imagined to park on the pavement however I might love to fulfill a single one who’s by no means parked on a pavement of their life,” she stated.
“Everybody was kicking off as a result of we have already got restricted parking as it’s.”
She stated she contacted Bristol Metropolis Council in October 2025 to boost issues in regards to the driveway allegedly missing the required dropped kerb, however claims she by no means obtained a response.
Notice left on the automobile window (Picture: Kennedy)
In response to council steerage, householders should set up a dropped kerb and automobile crossover earlier than driving throughout the pavement onto a personal driveway.
Astrid argued that whereas neither facet is “excellent”, she feels the neighbour’s response is disproportionate as a result of entry to the driveway remains to be potential.
“We’re each not excellent, it’s not essential to place post-it notes on vehicles when she will nonetheless get on and off the driveway,” she stated.
“Lots of people have seen it from my perspective. She hasn’t dropped the kerb, she’s not abiding by the foundations.”
The row has additionally spilled into face-to-face confrontations. Astrid stated issues turned tense throughout one encounter whereas she was attempting to get her kids into the automobile.
“On one event I used to be getting my youngsters sorted and I stated ‘I’m a bit harassed, this isn’t the time,’” she defined.
The neighbour leaves indignant notes on vehicles that park in entrance of it (Picture: Kennedy)
“One other time she requested me to maneuver it ahead and I simply stated sure. It received a bit heated and I stated ‘I’ve each proper to park right here, I’m simply attempting to take care of my youngsters in the meanwhile.’”
Astrid believes the continuing feud is damaging the environment in what she in any other case describes as a detailed and pleasant neighborhood.
“From my facet, I’ve very younger kids. If I can’t park in that place, I’ve to park a lot additional away and it makes it actually troublesome to go out and in of the home with a toddler and a five-year-old,” she stated.
“It’s simply disappointing greater than something as a result of we do have a beautiful, tight-knit neighborhood.”
Her video has now been seen greater than 65,000 occasions on-line, with commenters sharply divided over who’s at fault. Some accused Astrid of thoughtless parking, with one particular person writing: “It’s unlawful to park on the footway.”
One other added: “You’re within the improper!” Others defended her, nonetheless, with one commenter insisting: “You’re NOT improper. You’re legally parked.”
Bristol Metropolis Council confirmed that dropped kerbs are required when changing a backyard right into a driveway. The neighbour concerned has been approached for remark.
Leave a Reply