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Fed-Up Dad Takes Photos Of Blocked Driveway For TWO YEARS In Parking Battle

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A dad-of-three has spent the past two years taking photos of his blocked driveway to show his daily battle with residents in his quiet cul-de-sac.

Gary Setterfield says he has to put up with cars parked outside his house every day blocking him from pulling out of his own drive.

The problems began in 2012 when the housing association built a series of awkwardly-arranged drives in an attempt to stop people parking wherever they wanted down the road in Withington, Manchester.

But with neighbours still parking on the road and blocking him in, Gary decided in 2014 to take a series of photographs that detailed his daily plight.

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Exasperated: Gary spent two years taking photos of his blocked drive (SWNS)

He explained: “Before we had our driveways installed, parking was a free for all. It was difficult to park but I didn’t have these issues.

“Now I have a place to park but I can’t always get on or off it.

“I have lived there for 10 years and I don’t want to move as it is close to the school for my children and we are happy there.”

He added: “I worry about damaging someone’s car when squeezing through the gaps, which is not fair on me.

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Difficult: Parked cars make it awkward for Gary to drive out (SWNS)

“I don’t understand the mentality of people. It isn’t right. What if there was an emergency? That could cause a real issue.”

However, despite two years-worth of photos, Southway Housing claim the photographs do not constitute as evidence and have asked him to keep a diary of incidents to prove it is a long-term issue.

Now at his wits end, Gary is not quite sure what more he can do.

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Solution: Drives were initially put in to stop a parking free-for-all (SWNS)

He said: “I can’t sit and wait to get constant photographs. I feel like CCTV may be my only option but I don’t want to have to do that and it would mean me sifting through hours of footage to show something that my photos already show.”

Southway Housing said that residents agreed to the parking plans in 2012 and that Gary had “refused” mediation with his neighbours.

David Squires, Head of Neighbourhood Services, said: “Southway Housing became aware of this dispute between neighbours and as is standard, offered professional mediation to all involved, so that a reasonable agreement could be made.

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Mediation: The housing association says Gary has refused to talk to his neighbours about the issue (SWNS)

“Unfortunately Mr Setterfield refused this opportunity for mediation.

“Southway Housing has been working in partnership with the City Council as well as the police, in order to resolve this matter.

“The police have visited multiple times and agree that there has been no breach of law.”

Top pic: SWNS