Nelson Golf Club members are regularly obstructing driveways

People living in Kings Causeway in Nelson say that members of Nelson Golf Club are forever parking on the verges outside their homes and across their drives, obstructing them from being able to leave their properties.

One resident said it’s become a regular occurrence but despite complaining to the golf club, who say there’s nothing they can do apart from remind members about their parking, it still happens.

People have been parking their cars and obstructing driveways (Image: Kings Causeway residents)

The homeowner, who did not wish to be named said: “Members park on verges and across drives.

“It's a regular occurrence and is irresponsible.

“It causes issues getting out of the driveway, and when the whole drive is blocked we can't get in or out and have to ring the golf club who say if the car owners are in bar area they will ask them to move, but if they’re on the golf course they can't.

“One day a car was parked there from 11.30am until 5pm so we couldn't get out of our drive.

“Last year, someone living on the road was poorly and the ambulance couldn't access outside his house as his driveway was blocked.

“Many people maintain the verges, cutting and edging them, and people park on them creating ruts.  

“On away days many more people arrive additional to members and park over our drives.

“We’ve complained to the golf club but, and I can understand to a degree, they say they have no control over parking and will sometimes put a reminder in a newsletter, but other than that they say contact Lancashire County Council, or the police to have the vehicles towed, which is not helpful really.”

People have been parking their cars and obstructing driveways (Image: Kings Causeway resident)

Residents say there’s not just the issue of their driveways being blocked, as sometimes, in the instance of actually being able to get off their drives, they can’t see whether there are any vehicles travelling along the road as their views are obstructed.

A second person said: “Views are often blocked and cars travelling along the road only see cars pulling out at the last minute and vice versa, which could easily cause an accident.

“The parking narrows the road significantly.

“When the members are asked to move some say they won't park on the golf club car park as their car might get hit with golf ball, whereas others say they pay their road tax and can park where they want, but that doesn't mean blocking drives and being extremely rude.

“I can understand that there is not a lot the golf club can do to control parking outside on the road, but it would be helpful if they made expectations clear to members and visitors.

“No-one is bothered about the parking in general, only when it makes access and exiting of drives difficult, and damages the maintained verges.”

People have been parking their cars and obstructing driveways (Image: Kings Causeway resident)

According to the Highway Code, it is an offence to park a vehicle over someone's driveway or a dropped kerb.

Highway Code Rule 243 states that drivers should not stop or park “where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles” or “in front of an entrance to a property”. It is an offence to park across even a small part of the drive.

Drivers who even partially block a driveway could be ticketed. That means they could receive the relevant fine – just as if they’d parked on double yellow lines.

Councillor Naeem Hussain Ashraf who represents Brierfield East and Clover Hill on Pendle Council said: “It’s ridiculous. The people who come and play golf need to think about the residents as they are making life hell for them and this can’t continue.

“The golf club need to take stern action against the members and warn them.

“In fact, whoever is working there needs to come out and see what’s happening themselves and then speak with the members and ask them to stop blocking the driveways and stop making life hell for the residents.

“I think the golf club is just letting it be to be honest but they need to take some responsibility. We want people to come and play golf at Nelson Golf Club but not at the expense of causing issues for residents.

“I have a meeting on Monday and this will be brought up and we’ll see where we can go from here.”

Nelson Golf Club has been contacted for comment.