Commercial digger causes damage to fencing

[Ross20b]

Hello
I am looking for advice on how to proceed with a difficult problem involving damage caused to my fence post by a commercial digger. At the side of my house there is a 2m gap between my fence and a neighbouring fence which is a 100m access strip between the road and the land behind my property. The land at the back is used by a paving contractor to keep his digger when not in use. Every week or so the digger is driven along the gap. The digger is 1.9m wide so there is little room for a mistake. The digger has damaged my fence and that of my neighbour. Approaching the driver leads to abuse. There is a real potential for damage to my house not only to fencing.
How to deal with this situation long term?
i am concerned that conflict will lead to escalation of intimidation and violence. However this local bully should not be allowed to behave in this way.
Any ideas appreciated.
Martin.

[nemesis45]

Re: Commercial digger causes damage to fencing

Hello
I am looking for advice on how to proceed with a difficult problem involving damage caused to my fence post by a commercial digger. At the side of my house there is a 2m gap between my fence and a neighbouring fence which is a 100m access strip between the road and the land behind my property. The land at the back is used by a paving contractor to keep his digger when not in use. Every week or so the digger is driven along the gap. The digger is 1.9m wide so there is little room for a mistake. The digger has damaged my fence and that of my neighbour. Approaching the driver leads to abuse. There is a real potential for damage to my house not only to fencing.
How to deal with this situation long term?
i am concerned that conflict will lead to escalation of intimidation and violence. However this local bully should not be allowed to behave in this way.
Any ideas appreciated.
Martin.

Hello Martin welcome to LB,

Is the driver the owner of the paving business?
Is this access a public right of way?
nem

[Ross20b]

Re: Commercial digger causes damage to fencing

Thanks for the quick response.
The driver is either the owner, one of his sons or employees working in the paving business. I have photos of them all driving this vehicle along the gap.
The gap is not a public right of way, it is owned by relatives of the paving company owner (50%) and my neighbours on the other side (50%).
Neighbours are too terrified by prospect of world war 3 that they are just living with it at the moment dispite significant damage to their property.

[nemesis45]

Re: Commercial digger causes damage to fencing

Thanks for the quick response.
The driver is either the owner, one of his sons or employees working in the paving business. I have photos of them all driving this vehicle along the gap.
The gap is not a public right of way, it is owned by relatives of the paving company owner (50%) and my neighbours on the other side (50%).
Neighbours are too terrified by prospect of world war 3 that they are just living with it at the moment dispite significant damage to their property.

Hello Ross,
A difficult one, but if the owner/sons are aggressive or threatening it's a matter for the police if any body fears they are in danger.
I'm wondering if this is actually a vehicle access at 2m wide it's nothing more than a path.

Might be worth a word with the local authority to see if they have any advice, particularly if there is a danger
to your property.

Are you and the neighbours insured for such events.

nem

[Ross20b]

Re: Commercial digger causes damage to fencing

Thanks for the advice re local authority, I will contact the council to find out if they can help me, I think it's reckless behaviour. I will also check that my house insurance covers any serious damage this activity could cause. I will also try to convince my neighbours to relocate their fence so the gap is only 1m wide. That would stop it. There used to be a lovely row of trees instead of this barren gap until this guy pulled them all out so he can drive his digger up and down. He has started dumping hardcore along the gap which is basically fly tipping. I reported that but council don't care unless the work is "engineering" in nature. I'm amazed that these sort of bullies can do what they like and there is so little that can be done.