A 65-year-old man who built a do-it-yourself road block in front of his home to prevent parents from parking there during the school run but was compelled to remove it says he plans to build a new one — with garden GNOMES
The makeshift barrier built by Derek Woodacre was dismantled by Wigan Council last month.
The 65-year-old man stated that parents’ use of his street for drop-off was creating damage.
The devoted gnome-sculptor intends to adorn a rebuilt fence with statues.
Neighbors, though, have reported that his antics have left them with “sleepless nights.”
A man whose constructed parking roadblock was dismantled by the city council last month aims to erect a new one adorned with handcrafted garden gnomes.
Derek Woodacre, 65, has fought with parents of St. John’s Primary School in Mosley Common over parking on his road for years.
He estimated that the damage caused by parents driving down the road would cost ‘thousands’ to restore and erected an intricate barricade using plants and other materials.
Wigan Council demolished the structure on July 19 after receiving complaints for more than two years that the barricades prevented emergency vehicles and garbage trucks from entering Commonside Road.
The 65-year-old stated that individuals from Greater Manchester and beyond are now visiting him to discuss the dispute.
He stated, “People drive past Manchester on their way to see me and fall out laughing.”
“They are in tears after hearing about my plans for the future. It has gone insane in the region.
Mr. Woodacre, an obsessive gnome-maker, plans to reconstruct the barricade and decorate it with the handcrafted statues.
Derek Woodacre, 65, stated that he intends to rebuild his barricade and embellish it with gnomes he creates himself.
Wigan Council dismantled his makeshift barricade on Commonside Road to prevent parents from parking for school drop-off last month.
He stated that he also intends to transform the pothole into “Lake Gnomo” as a tribute to one of his favorite places in the world, Lake Como in Italy. It will be an extension of his front gardens, which he calls “Gnome Man’s Land.”
According to Mr. Woodacre, Commonside Road is unadopted, which means that it is not maintained by the Highway Authority.
He hopes that obtaining proof of its unadopted status will let him reinstall the barricade.
Neighbors who have complained that Mr. Woodacre’s actions have caused “sleepless nights” will hope that he is unable to fulfill his objective of restoring the demolished structure.
They referred to him as ‘agonizing’ and’stressful,’ but Mr. Woodacre feels these neighbors who oppose him are few in number, and he asserts that he’simply no longer cares’ about their thoughts.
Ruby Howard, a lifelong resident of Commonside Road, told the Manchester Evening News that Mr. Woodacre’s work ‘looked dreadful’ and had sparked disputes between parents.
Mr. Woodacre has been at odds with St. John’s Primary School parents in Mosley Common for years. He stated that their parking on his street had caused thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.
The 65-year-old man stated that he “doesn’t care” about the sentiments of his neighbors, who have labeled him as “agonizing” and “stressful.”
She stated, “After being instructed to remove the plate, he began to dig the sinkhole even deeper.” People on the street spend sleepless nights due to stress.
‘At first he was fine and willing to help with the road, but I believe he became overly enthusiastic. He dismissed everyone in order to pursue his own interests.
According to another neighbor, Mr. Woodacre had even placed gas canisters in the road to prevent parents from using it to drop off their children.
He desires attention. He made the hole bigger. He is well-known in the region. He stated that he intends to enrage the entire neighborhood, said the neighbor.
“It’s exhausting. I’ve never experienced anything like it.
MailOnline has sought comment from Wigan Council. In an earlier statement, the director of the environment, Paul Barton, said, ‘After this issue was reported, we worked with the resident to rectify the situation. On July 19, the constructions were removed with the cooperation of the local community.
“We appreciate our residents reporting difficulties to us, and we urge them to do so.” Residents can report problems at wigan.gov.uk/ReportIt.”