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AIBU?

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Original poster

To make the kids walk 3miles to school?

792 replies

DHdoingmyheadin · 02/09/2025 08:07

Due to ongoing roadworks, the main road through the village to my kids school is closed and will be for c. a month. We are right at the edge of where the roadworks are so we have two options:

(A) A 15 mile detour by car, down the road all the traffic is being funnelled down (a main A road that is congested even when the road through the village is open). Which I trialled yesterday, and took me 45 minutes each way. This was with no school traffic as schools go back tomorrow. So I’d be doing at least 90 minutes of driving each morning and DH 90 mins in the afternoon.

(B) The kids walk to school and back. 3 miles each way.

DH is adamant I can’t possibly expect them to walk. It’s hilly. It’s due to rain. I think they walk. I think it would be insane to drive when it’s literally faster for them to walk. It’s 3 miles. I’m not asking them to swim the channel and then scale Mount Everest. Kids are 12 and 13.

AIBU to put my foot down and refuse to drive?

OP posts:
MarryMeTomHardy · 02/09/2025 17:05

I used to walk 2.5 miles to school & back each day (& im not THAT old) if we were lucky a parent might pick us up halfway home, making it only 4ish miles that day, and there was a huge hill each way (think Devon)...
Make sure they have waterproof shoes though... to this day I have a strong aversion to getting wet feet (in shoes) probably due to memories of spending all day with wet feet & then walk home again!

Gloriia · 02/09/2025 16:57

Menonut · 02/09/2025 16:47

Can they walk in the morning and then be collected in the afternoon by dh if he thinks the traffic isn’t an issue.

The dh does collect them.

They can get the bus. The council have responded to the issue and altered bus routes to accommodate.

ErrolTheDragon · 02/09/2025 16:56

Gloriia · 02/09/2025 16:32

'no traffic lights. It’s a gas supply (new pipes) so I imagine they think there’s some sort of health and safety risk? Or maybe they just like chaos'

We've had lights with gas works. They're maybe just thick and as no one is kicking up a stink think it's ok. Ring them, tell them most/all places use traffic lights in this day and age rather than closing a major route.

probably depends on the width of the road.

MyDeftDuck · 02/09/2025 16:53

CecilyP · 02/09/2025 14:24

Going for a hike in the countryside for pleasure is a completely different ballgame to walking a 6 mile round trip to school day in day out!

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I was referring to distance, NOT comparing circumstance.

Menonut · 02/09/2025 16:47

Can they walk in the morning and then be collected in the afternoon by dh if he thinks the traffic isn’t an issue.

Girlgoneinternational · 02/09/2025 16:47

I can't believe how many people think 3 miles is unreasonably far - I lived a similar distance and my mum used to give me bus fare but if I fancied a bit of extra cash I would walk and save / spend the bus money. Granted it was normally only on the way home because, in typical teenage fashion, I got up too late in the mornings. A lot of my friends did the same so there was always someone to walk home with, at least part of the way. I was the furthest away but I would say at least half of my class walked somewhere between 1.5 to 2.5 miles every day.
It's not forever, they'll be fine, particularly if they're already fairly fit and active.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 02/09/2025 16:39

3 miles is quite a lot girl 😬😬

ThankyouBakedP0tato · 02/09/2025 16:38

arcticpandas · 02/09/2025 09:25

Backpacks are around 15 kg in secondary. My DS 12 weighs 30 kg.

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😂

That one helluva packed lunch.

usedtobeaylis · 02/09/2025 16:33

When I was in high school if you lived over a mile away from the school you were eligible for free transport. So in my case I lived in a village about five miles from the school and we got train passes, some people got buses (either laid on or passes for public buses) and the odd people got taxis, sometimes shared. I find the idea of kids routinely walking distances like 3 miles in all weathers to and from school a bit wild in that context.

Gloriia · 02/09/2025 16:32

'no traffic lights. It’s a gas supply (new pipes) so I imagine they think there’s some sort of health and safety risk? Or maybe they just like chaos'

We've had lights with gas works. They're maybe just thick and as no one is kicking up a stink think it's ok. Ring them, tell them most/all places use traffic lights in this day and age rather than closing a major route.

Gloriia · 02/09/2025 16:29

'They are! But the bus routes will be going to same way as the cars and given the schedule they have suggested I don’t fancy their chances of making it in time.'

Well so what it'll be the bus services fault if they're late, the school will surely be expecting issues.

The point is you won't have to drive 15 miles and they won't have to walk 3 miles before school.

jannier · 02/09/2025 16:01

Soontobe60 · 02/09/2025 08:12

Would you be happy to do a 3 mile walk twice a day in the rain before and after work? Give them a bloody lift!

Many of us walked much further to our senior schools through all weathers get a grip

Original poster
DHdoingmyheadin · 02/09/2025 15:31

Stowawaysue · 02/09/2025 15:24

Local council putting on lots of different bus routes to make allowances for the road works according to Battle Town Council page

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They are! But the bus routes will be going to same way as the cars and given the schedule they have suggested I don’t fancy their chances of making it in time. And I think after school it’ll be even worse which isn’t ideal with clubs etc. Most of the kids DC know appear to be walking and most parents think that’ll be faster than the bus.

@Gloriia no traffic lights. It’s a gas supply (new pipes) so I imagine they think there’s some sort of health and safety risk? Or maybe they just like chaos.

OP posts:
Gloriia · 02/09/2025 15:31

Stowawaysue · 02/09/2025 15:24

Local council putting on lots of different bus routes to make allowances for the road works according to Battle Town Council page

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Well there you go op. Problem solved!

Stowawaysue · 02/09/2025 15:24

Gloriia · 02/09/2025 15:07

Have we found out why the kids can't get a bus yet or why the council aren't assisting in the disruption by maybe laying on a bus if for some reason there's none at school times? I bet a 15 mile detour will be a problem for many people.

Or why they can't use traffic lights? Confused.

Local council putting on lots of different bus routes to make allowances for the road works according to Battle Town Council page

Gloriia · 02/09/2025 15:07

Have we found out why the kids can't get a bus yet or why the council aren't assisting in the disruption by maybe laying on a bus if for some reason there's none at school times? I bet a 15 mile detour will be a problem for many people.

Or why they can't use traffic lights? Confused.

beAsensible1 · 02/09/2025 15:07

walk/bike or hire bikes for the month if you dont have any already

Avie29 · 02/09/2025 14:59

This reply has been deleted

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Why is it nonsense? Like i said some people walk faster than others 🤷🏻‍♀️ not a big deal xx

Backfromholareyou · 02/09/2025 14:58

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Backfromholareyou · 02/09/2025 14:57

LandSharksAnonymous · 02/09/2025 14:53

It’s called a typo. Obviously I meant 45.

You really need to get a grip…

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So 45 mins to walk to the station and 15 was a typo

but you say I walk an hour as part of my commute (15 minutes to the station, then from the station to the office and then repeat to go home

so typo 45 mins rather than 15
So you do the 3 miles once you arrive in London in 15 mins? Or is that another typo?

Avie29 · 02/09/2025 14:56

Ok wow what is wrong with people on this thread, people walk at different speeds its not a big deal and certainly not something to be arguing about 🤦🏻‍♀️ jeez xx

Backfromholareyou · 02/09/2025 14:54

This reply has been deleted

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LandSharksAnonymous · 02/09/2025 14:53

Backfromholareyou · 02/09/2025 14:52

You have outrightly lied on this thread
you say that your walk to the station is 15 mins and I merely enquired whether really do that in 3 miles as you say you do

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It’s called a typo. Obviously I meant 45.

You really need to get a grip…

Backfromholareyou · 02/09/2025 14:52

LandSharksAnonymous · 02/09/2025 14:51

People are allowed to make mistakes in their typing, or lack clarity in their details.

Stop troll hunting - you’ll just get yourself banned.

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You have outrightly lied on this thread
you say that your walk to the station is 15 mins and I merely enquired whether really do that in 3 miles as you say you do

LandSharksAnonymous · 02/09/2025 14:51

Backfromholareyou · 02/09/2025 14:48

Hence me saying “half the week”

the op apparently does come back from London for lunch break

I use my ‘lunch hour’ every day

Edited
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People are allowed to make mistakes in their typing, or lack clarity in their details.

Stop troll hunting - you’ll just get yourself banned.