Law of Parking on Verges
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pEFERRING to the article by a barrister "Is Parking
on Verges Legal? ", published in your issue dated June 27, we have consulted the Automobile Association on this matter and the reply of this body is to the following effect: Strictly speaking, it is not permissible for vehicles to remain standing on any part of the highway unless they are left in an official park, in which event" it would be necessary to conform to the limit of time specified at such a park.
This seems to conflict with some of the views contained in the article in question and, as this point is of some importance to' us, we would appreciate further comments on the subject.
A. O'NEIL, Director, Essential Auto Accessories, Ltd. Cow Roast, near Tring.
[We have asked the author of the article to give his further view's on this matter, they are as follows: There is, strictly speaking, no absolute right to park for any length of time on a highway, and since the case of Rogers v. the Ministry of Transport, it appearg that grass verges are in the same position. On the other hand, the driver has a right to stop at any time and a reasonable time of stopping is merely a necessary adjunct to the right to travel. One of the tests of reasonableness is clearly whether the driver is making an unreasonable use of the road or verge, taking the public needs into account. An obstruction is obviously less likely to be caused by stopping on a verge. It is as misleading to speak of it being " not .permissible " to leave vehicles standing as it is to refer to a "right to park." Both are equally wrong.—ED.]