I've received the leaflet announcing the consultation on the plans to improve Dartmouth Rd. These are funded by TfL, but to be taken forward by Lewisham Council.

I've several questions about this project, but there is one proposal that residents of Forest Lodge and adjacent properties might find particularly interesting.

The Council is proposing among other things to remove the 'illegal parking' on the stretch of Dartmouth Road opposite the Pools and Holy Trinity School and replace it with parking bays. Now residents of those properties seem to be under the impression that the parking in question is on their land and is not illegal - having lived here for 40 years, I am sure that they are right.

Would suggest that residents on that side of the road might care to look at the consultation and respond appropriately.

Let me know how you get on, if you succeed I am going to ask the council if I can take ownership of the road outside my house where I have tried to park my car for the last 14 years.

The lack of dropped curb and cars parked behind pedestrian crossings and a bus stop suggests that the access to these parking places is illegal.

The lack of enforcement suggests that the yellow lines do not apply to cars parked this far back from the road, even if the land is owned by the council. And that the council are not enforcing the illegal crossing of the pavement by residents.

But if the land is owned by the council as they claim, then the notices that prevent people parking here are also entirely incorrect and no legal enforcement by the residents would be possible.

I think I know where I'll be parking next time I drive to the pool!

For what it's worth, the parking pre-dates the crossing by decades. I questioned with officers whether this was the best location for the crossing at the time it was installed.

As to the legality of crossing pavements to park, I'm not sure that the presence or not of a dropped kerb is the relevant consideration. However, I'm sure the lawyers will know. In general terms, I believe it is legal to cross the footway to reach a parking place on private land.

My understanding is that a dropped kerb and a crossover are required for access to private land. Ultimately, the Council will have the final say as they can install bollards to prevent access. It is possible that the residents have acquired a legal easement to park on this land. That will provide work for the lawyers!

This post was last modified: 07-06-2015 08:57 AM by Sherwood.

If it is not illegal and no permit is required to park outside Forest Hill Lodge, what is there to stop anyone parking outside there?

Are there any notices to state 'Residents private parking only', and what would be the penalty if non- residents did park outside there?

You may not cross a pavement to park etc unless it is across a dropped kerb. from memory it's a fine and points.

I saw an interesting piece of reversing on the pavement right beside the fence for the pedestrian crossing. No dropped kerb, nothing legal about the maneuver. I almost stopped by car to prevent them getting off the pavement with two police officers about a minute behind on foot, but I would have obstucted the bus that was not far behind me.

this spot is as bad as the skip vans outside Smiths in the morning, blocking the pavement while waiting to reverse into the skip yard.