https://www.gov.uk/using-the-road-159-to-20...ser-and-the-law

Linky thing about public access roads

The No Right Turn from the BP garage is no legal as previously stated as it is private land.
I was stopped not long ago for turning right from the garage and challenged it and was told by pc plod just to be careful in future.

Perhaps the copper who pulled you over was as ignorant of traffic law as you are? Just a thought... I can assure you though, it's not 'legally enforceable' and you're talking dribble....

Businesses are quite entitled to stick signs up on their land to encourage drivers to turn right and it may even be a condition of planning approval, but it doesn't make it against the law if you ignored it and turned right anyway. Ill-advised maybe, but not illegal. Looking on the google link the signs are about 2 foot off the ground and so as well as being there for show they can't be seen easily.

Signs like 'No right turn' would need the backing of a traffic order and you wouldn't have one for this type of exit from a private business.

Believe it or not, our Boys in Blue aren't all as bright as they like you to think they are. They can tell you off and give some advice, but if they tried any of that "If I see you do that again I'll give you a ticket" nonsense they would find themselves being given a lesson in traffic law by the Force Solicitor before the case was dropped and an apology was having to be issued...


5punk monkey? Really?

Are there not white lines down tha A4 at that point, which traffic law says you aren't supposed to cross?

OK, it might not be enforceable, but the signs weren't put there for a joke. Even if (perhaps more so) compliance is voluntary, the Police driver was not setting a good example. I'd call that an action bringing the Force into disrepute.

I must admit, one thing that gets me big time, are drivers ignoring basic traffic rules and conventions in shop Car Parks. Very dangerous, particularly as kids and distracted pedestrians are wandering about.

I don't think "law" and "supposed" go together

You are allowed to cross double white lines to get to somewhere on the other side of the road (for example a garage or, if you must, a Little Chef). Looking at Streetview, there is barely a single white line outside the BP garage - no sign of a double.

Yes, would agree with that. However, if I wanted to be particularly difficult (which Thames Valleys finest can be) one could argue that doing so in such circumstances is like doing a u turn! I must admit, turning right at that point isn't straightforward. The type of road would make such a manoeuvre unsafe at anytime. It's the sort of thing the boys in Blue lecture school kids about, road safety isn't about keeping the law it's about being safe. However, if you are above the law, I suppose that doesn't count!

It makes very little difference really
It is just a simple excuse, like the people who drove over the Bridge and then said they did so because it was unenforceable. It's ignorance, pure and simple. It may be a private piece of land but it has public right of way so I do not see any difference.

I know I can get extra points for pedantry here, so here goes..... There is no 'public right of way' or 'right of access' into the BP garage (other garages and fuel suppliers are available and the same argument applies). It's 'private land over which the owners allow access'. Subtle but important difference. (You could still be prosecuted for trespass for instance if they closed it off for some reason)

There's another business access onto London Road within viewing distance of the BP garage which could equally have a turning sign at the entrance (which would have the same 'legality'). Opposite The Skylings there's the entrance/exit from D&J Cole Joinery. If you wanted to turn right out of there you'd present no more of/the same problem than at the garage. You'd be turning across two lanes of traffic on the busy A4 and both are on private land.

The difference is that D&J Cole has been there for years and had no planning officers imposing restrictions on them, but the garage would have had to go through current planning application approval when it was rebuilt and that perhaps dictated that an advisory turning sign should go up.

On the other side of the A4, dead opposite the exit to BP there used to be a no right turn sign. I don't think it is there any more.

But the point is that the police believe they are above the law. I recently complained about a police car driving on the wrong side of the road on Newtown Rd, no lights and narrowly missed a head on collision. I gave make, model, time, location and a partial plate. The police refused to investigate because the plate was only partial, even though it ought to be relatively easy to identify the vehicle.

As above, it is easy to see why so many people involved in the recent riots were able to give hatred of the police as their motivation.

You mean a formal complaint was rejected, or the person you spoke to (phone/front desk staff) declined? If the latter, I'd complain about that too.

I do not think the signs have any element of 'enforceability', but they make sense. A bit like most of the Highway Code - road users who create a problem by not complying with sound advice usually struggle for excuses. So, while the driver likely did not commit an offence by not following the 'advice', but if he/she caused an accident (or even just avoiding action) then there would be the sign to support any case made.

I'd think the information you have would be sufficient to make a complaint if you wanted. However, if you are just miffed, then you have nothing to be miffed about.

As for your friends - the 'others' that cause the grief are the ones to have a go at......

Yes, a formal complaint was rejected. They said that without a full reg they could not investigate. This was from Professional Standards in response to a formal complaint under the Police Reform Act 2002.

I was following a Nuclear Constabulary vehicle heading t/wards W Ilsley off the A34, which braked sharply & then turned left onto the Ridgeway Parking area (no signals);
I guess popped out from Harwell/Culham for a sandwich. I did make a complaint at the poor example shown & initially was asked if it I was sure wasn't a TVP vehicle.

When I pointed out it had distinctly different ( logo below), they followed up thoroughly & some action/training was promised for the officer involved

Again I only had a partial plate.

I gather since they operate within 5km of any nuclear sites, not just on the bases themselves.


They are Headquartered at Culham & are heavily armed at all times.

That's interesting gel. Never knew of them.
I thought at first you were being amusing with a derogatory description of the vehicle."Unclear"

Heavily armed at all times ? "Death by Cop" takes on a new meaning.
ce

So we can get as drunk as we like and do handbrake turns on the forecourt?

A shame, as without any investigation you are left dissatisfied. It can be done, as we both know (unless the bits you had were actually wrong with the part index and therefore no vehicle could be identified).

You could bounce naked across the forecourt on a spacehopper while singing the national anthem if you want, but what that or being drunk or pulling donuts has got to do with ignoring a random sign telling you to turn left has got to with anything beats me....


But in answer, if you found someone pi$$ed in your garden or sat in their car on your driveway revving the car to death and causing a fuss you could call the police. Something to do with trespass laws I believe? And I'm sure the garage owners could do the same if you used the forecourt as a rally track....

Driving whilst intoxicated is illegal, you are implying that it is ok on BP's forecourt though as it's private ground. I think you have really shown yourself up on this thread, I don't often get personal on this forum but you are either really thick, really ignorant, or just a ****!

a-mazing?
(I've added some of the asterisks I think you missed off in your post. I don't want to get personal but your spelling is atrocious)

....and regarding being thick or ignorant.. methinks Strafin doth protest too much...

You makes oi larf!