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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Ooh! I have a question what merits a genuine parking diagram! The larks!

38 replies

SarahAndQuack · 14/05/2024 20:55

Yes, I may be too excited about this. It's actually not full of righteous indignation, but I'd still appreciate thoughts.

So, the context: I live in a small village, next door to the village school. Never had an issue. The school car park is tiny, so it's only for staff, and parents park on the street. Obviously, if I happen to be coming or going at drop off/pick up time, I know better than to expect to park outside my house and that is totally fine. I have a dropped kerb allowing access to a parking space by the side of my house. There is no shortage of on-street parking outside of school drop off/pick up times, but I do tend to have visitors park there, and I value having that access.

I don't get het up about people blocking the dropped kerb; a few parents have asked/apologised and I've always said don't worry, it's just a few minutes. This is especially true now as there are two sets of parents whose children have difficulties and need the car close so it's easiest to get them safely in; I don't have an issue with them parking over the dropped kerb. They are only there for a few minutes.

But, here's the thing. Recently, school have started putting traffic cones up outside the space running from the far end of the playground to the dropped kerb. I've heard from a parent on the PTA that this is because someone (not from the school, apparently?) complained about the school buses parking on the yellow zig-zag lines outside the school. The buses have always parked here, right by the gates, so children can get on and off with minimum fuss. TBH, I thought that was part of the purpose of those lines, but I am probably wrong! Now, the bus has to find a space, so school are reserving it with cones. They've been doing it for several days, and I'm finding each day the cones are closer and closer, and the last couple of days, if I'd wanted to cross the dropped kerb, I'd have had to move them. The cones stay out all the time, and I'm actually a bit annoyed.

I do love my DD's school and I am sure they're not being dicks for the sake of it, but I also don't want to end up in a situation where my gate constantly has traffic cones sitting in front of it!

AIBU? And indeed, WWYD?

Ooh! I have a question what merits a genuine parking diagram! The larks!
OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
xILikeJamx · 15/05/2024 14:16

Abitorangelooking · 15/05/2024 09:45

School buses always park on the yellow zig zags at our school. I honestly thought their purpose was to reserve those spaces for the school buses to ensure the dc can get on safely and so they don’t need to cross a road.

The yellow zigzags denote no parking or waiting in the area. Generally it's at all times, but there may be signs indicating times when it's not in force.
Presumably to let kids cross the road without having to creep between parked cars to do so.

OP - if they're not taking the cones away again, why can't you just move the ones that are in your way?

JustEatTheOneInTheBallPit · 15/05/2024 14:09

I really like your diagram.

CeffylCoch · 15/05/2024 13:47

Just move the cones?

FlickDrink · 15/05/2024 13:42

I don't understand why people are so weird!!! 😂😂😂Sorry OP!!! but I don't understand how you can go through life worrying so much. You are massively overthinking this and you are being really negative about how you view the school. Why are you assuming they will take your request badly? Why have you such a poor opinion of them?

Londonrach1 · 15/05/2024 12:44

Talk to the school about this

LardoBurrows · 15/05/2024 12:39

I'd just move the cones away from my dropped kerb and dump them outside the school.

WallaceinAnderland · 15/05/2024 12:10

The head teacher thought it was ok for a bus to park on zig zags and also thinks it's ok to put cones over a dropped kerb. I think the head needs a visit from the local PCSO to learn about parking rules.

AgathaMystery · 15/05/2024 11:57

came for the diagram, stayed for the drama - i feel let down. Can you make an anon hysterical phone call to the school at the very least?

Bellaboo01 · 15/05/2024 11:53

SarahAndQuack · 14/05/2024 20:55

Yes, I may be too excited about this. It's actually not full of righteous indignation, but I'd still appreciate thoughts.

So, the context: I live in a small village, next door to the village school. Never had an issue. The school car park is tiny, so it's only for staff, and parents park on the street. Obviously, if I happen to be coming or going at drop off/pick up time, I know better than to expect to park outside my house and that is totally fine. I have a dropped kerb allowing access to a parking space by the side of my house. There is no shortage of on-street parking outside of school drop off/pick up times, but I do tend to have visitors park there, and I value having that access.

I don't get het up about people blocking the dropped kerb; a few parents have asked/apologised and I've always said don't worry, it's just a few minutes. This is especially true now as there are two sets of parents whose children have difficulties and need the car close so it's easiest to get them safely in; I don't have an issue with them parking over the dropped kerb. They are only there for a few minutes.

But, here's the thing. Recently, school have started putting traffic cones up outside the space running from the far end of the playground to the dropped kerb. I've heard from a parent on the PTA that this is because someone (not from the school, apparently?) complained about the school buses parking on the yellow zig-zag lines outside the school. The buses have always parked here, right by the gates, so children can get on and off with minimum fuss. TBH, I thought that was part of the purpose of those lines, but I am probably wrong! Now, the bus has to find a space, so school are reserving it with cones. They've been doing it for several days, and I'm finding each day the cones are closer and closer, and the last couple of days, if I'd wanted to cross the dropped kerb, I'd have had to move them. The cones stay out all the time, and I'm actually a bit annoyed.

I do love my DD's school and I am sure they're not being dicks for the sake of it, but I also don't want to end up in a situation where my gate constantly has traffic cones sitting in front of it!

AIBU? And indeed, WWYD?

If the cones arent over your 'dropped curb' then there is no issue.

If they keep getting nearer and nearer and ending up over your dropped curb, simply email the school and let them know that the cones that they have put out is stopping your access to your driveway. Or just move them - simple.

Their cones hold no legal rights.

rwa818 · 15/05/2024 11:51

Call the school and ask them not to block your driveway as you need access, maybe they haven't realised- but it needs nipping in the bud!

Motnight · 15/05/2024 11:44

Hoppinggreen · 15/05/2024 10:31

10/10 for diagram.
1/10 for drama

Exactly Op is being far too reasonable!

Keepthosenamesgoing · 15/05/2024 11:29

I suspect they are just being careless with the cones so.just a gentle reminder to whomever is putting them out ... hiya can you just pop them the other side of mu dropped kerb so I can still drive in. Thanks

AmiShitsaline · 15/05/2024 11:24

They might be waiting on some official road markings for the bus. I would email the school and just say ‘not sure where to direct this but I just have a query about the cones for the school bus, is there a permanent solution being worked on for this? I am just finding it a bit of an issue at the moment as the cones are often placed in front of my driveway. Many thanks’

Hoppinggreen · 15/05/2024 10:31

10/10 for diagram.
1/10 for drama

Lochroy · 15/05/2024 10:28

Well I don't think anyone can just choose to permanently cone off sections of the public highway can they? To clarify, the school are leaving them out 24/7 rather than just for pick up and drop off times?

So that's also effectively stopping any visitors you may have or anyone else from parking there when the buses don't need to?

Just have a word with the school. Be firm and not apologetic. You have never complained about the families who block your drive because you can see the need, but comes across your driveway is not on.

SandInSandwiches · 15/05/2024 10:06

I would approach the school caretaker as the most likely person to be placing the cones.
It seems to me there are two issues: cones obstructing your drop down kerb and that they are there 24/7. Neither is reasonable.

I’d explain to the caretaker that you deliberately leave your drop down kerb for the two families who need to be nearer the school. You could also point out that the cones need only be used for the length of time required, that maybe the lollipop person could put them out and take them in. The first proposal indicates your kindness and consideration. The second fits in with established procedures at drop off/pick up.

Treelichen · 15/05/2024 09:50

OP, are you always this incapable? Just ask them not to block your drive. It’s irrelevant that it’s a small village and that you have a good relationship with the teachers. That should help when you ask them not to do it.

Abitorangelooking · 15/05/2024 09:45

School buses always park on the yellow zig zags at our school. I honestly thought their purpose was to reserve those spaces for the school buses to ensure the dc can get on safely and so they don’t need to cross a road.

CountingCrones · 15/05/2024 09:39

I thought you were bothered about the placement of the cones encroaching on your dropped kerb.

On reading your update, it it more that you don’t like seeing the cones outside your garden?

If it’s the former, just mention it to the school, no one need take offence to “could you make sure the cones aren’t blocking the kerb? I wouldn’t want to clip one as I pull out.”

If it’s the appearance, sorry, OP , you just have to suck that one up.

Zigzags are no parking or stopping; they keep the area clear for unobstructed sight for people crossing the road. It’s the norm in front of school gates. Whoever complained was technically right, the buses should not be parking there, annoying as it is.

StandingOvulation · 15/05/2024 09:38

Diagram on the front back of an envelope.

How deliciously retro.

What Jinks!

Flowers
skyfairy · 15/05/2024 09:33

Somebody complained - and they came up with this dud solution, which is affecting you. Now it is your turn to complain - perhaps go in preloaded with an alternative solution. Being a doormat will get you nowhere, except muddy.

BoudiccaOfSuburbia · 15/05/2024 09:33

It is perfectly ok to say “by the way, the cones for the bus parking are sometimes in front of my dropped kerb, could whoever puts them out keep my drive clear, please?’. That’s not rude or confrontational or even unfriendly.

Unfortunately I don’t see how you have a say on the cones on the road. It’s not your road, they would have to have them there all day to be sure of keeping it clear, and they might have had permission from the council. And it might have been someone official who complained about parking on the zig zags, or informed the school / bus company that it’s not OK. Which it isn’t! If an ordinary car blocks the vision for kids to cross the road and drivers to see them running out, so does a bus!

plus A bus on the zig zags would block vision of cars coming in and out of the staff car park.

Parking the bus the other side of the car park entrance means kids have to cross in front of traffic in and out.

Cones are unsightly but it doesn’t seem unreasonable for them to be there.

museumum · 15/05/2024 09:29

In the diagram the cones look like they stop just at your dropped kerb. If they migrate a bit over it, just shuffle them back up again. Every time. I'm guessing it's so nobody tries to squeeze into the bit between the end of the zig zags and your dropped kerb as if the diagram is correct it's not wide enough for a car.
If anybody queries it or you see anybody from the school while doing it then say 'i'm just moving the cones a bit so they're not blocking my drive' with a big smile.

TokyoSushi · 15/05/2024 09:24

Lovely diagram! I'd go into the school in a very friendly manner and speak to them about the cones, approach it in a 'let's all have a look at this together and see what's the best thing to do for everyone' approach. If they're as lovely as you say then I'm sure you can all figure it out.

viques · 15/05/2024 09:24

This has to be the most disappointing school parking thread I have ever read. Not even one entitled mother parking her 4x4 in such a way that Jaxxon doesn’t need to walk more than ten steps to his classroom. Not one.

It’s a good diagram OP, but the parking story doesn’t really work for me , so I can only score you a 5.

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