A Royal Mail postman has been left utterly perplexed after encountering a street with a parking layout he describes as the worst he has ever seen.
The Discovery of 'Penny Farthing Lane'
While delivering mail in Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, postman Sim Lewis came across a road he has since nicknamed 'Penny Farthing Lane'. The name, inspired by the old-fashioned bicycle with a huge front wheel, reflects the street's bizarrely narrow usable space. Sim took to TikTok to share his confusion, stating plainly: "This just doesn't make sense."
The core of the problem lies in the road markings. White parking bay lines are painted on both sides of Souberie Avenue. If drivers used all the permitted spaces, the central carriageway would be too narrow for most vehicles to pass through, effectively creating a route only suitable for pedestrians and cyclists.
Permits, Arrows and Blocked Driveways
Signs indicate parking is for 'permit holders only' between 10-11am and 4-5pm, Monday to Friday. However, Sim highlighted two major issues. First, arrows on the signs suggest one-way traffic, adding to the bewilderment. Second, and more critically, the parking bays show no breaks at dropped kerbs for driveways.
"Someone could just park in your driveway and justify it as it's a parking space," Sim explained in his video, filmed on 16 January 2026. The continuous lines imply a car owner could legally block a resident's access without technically violating the painted restrictions.
Public Reaction and Official Response
The viral TikTok clip prompted a flood of comments from equally puzzled viewers. One user joked the design must have been approved "on a Friday at 1pm when they were clocking off at 2", while others demanded the local council be tagged for an explanation.
When approached, a spokesperson for North Herts Council defended the layout, stating it is similar to other roads in the area. They clarified that parking across a dropped kerb remains an offence and enforcement officers can issue Penalty Charge Notices. The council argued that continuous bay markings "help avoid ambiguity" around driveways.
Regarding vehicles parking opposite each other and obstructing the road, the spokesperson confirmed this is a matter for police enforcement. They finished by encouraging all drivers to park considerately to maintain access for everyone.
