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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the school should sort this out?

86 replies

hibbledibble · 23/06/2015 23:02

I live near a school where lots of the parents drive, this is despite the school being in London with excellent public transport links.

The really annoying thing is the inconsiderate and downright dangerous parking. The school is on a narrow road, which is also quite busy.

The parents park on the road opposite the school on double yellow lines, which completely obstructs the road as there is only one lane left on a two way road. Nobody then gives way on the other lane and it becomes gridlocked.

It is also very dangerous for the children as they are emerging between parked cars. The parents also seem to park and drive like lunatics.

I have tried talking to both the school and the council to resolve this, but nothing changes. The school just says they have asked the parking attendants to come, but clearly parking fines do not put off these people.

Aibu to think the school should do more?

OP posts:
DarkEvilMoon · 24/06/2015 01:35

Nope, it is not the same place. I am very much NOT London based. But yes around here there have been assaults for less, and it is not a deprived area Confused just some real classy people. Hmm

DarkEvilMoon · 24/06/2015 01:43

Sorry I have had a few issues with late night posting resulting multiple posts Blush

DarkEvilMoon · 24/06/2015 01:43

Sorry I have had a few issues with late night posting resulting multiple posts Blush

DarkEvilMoon · 24/06/2015 01:43

Sorry I have had a few issues with late night posting resulting multiple posts Blush

DarkEvilMoon · 24/06/2015 01:47

Sorry I have had a few issues with late night posting resulting multiple posts Blush

DarkEvilMoon · 24/06/2015 01:47

Offs

MidniteScribbler · 24/06/2015 02:10

Teachers are not traffic wardens. And in no part of my job description does it require me to go out and play traffic cop because parents are too lazy to walk a few extra metres.

Complain to the local police or council and put pressure on them to come out and fine/tow/clamp the offenders. Parking areas around schools are not owned by the school and they have no jurisdiction over them.

NRomanoff · 24/06/2015 06:03

You need to speak to the police and the council. The school can only do much. Our school reminds everyone by text every week, I'm news letters, everytime we go to a play or something it will have a reminder on the bottom of the letter. People still drive like dickheads and it's pisses me off. A woman drove about 20 meters on the wrong side of the road last week so she could get closer to the school gate.

There isn't much else the school can do and I would be surprised if all the schools in your area don't have this problem at all. Most do. I park about half a mile away and walk. It's just easier, sick of almost getting ran into by parents no looking where they are going.

SoldierBear · 24/06/2015 06:11

Get the council involved. We took photos and sent them to the school and local councillor, citing other facts, such as schools non involvement in healthy ways to travel initiatives. Local councillor agreed school was not doing enough and things have improved!

Also, some schools in East Lothian have a "no car access" because of this. It's a fairly potent threat and one the school was made aware of by the councillor.

There are things the school can do. They are part of the local community and have a responsibility to that community. Educating the children about other ways to get to school and actively encouraging them is a great start.

Our school has a catchment radius of 800 metres. No reason for anybody to drive into a small residential cul de sac when such a short walking distance and when there are places to park safely a few streets away. Ultimately is it about maximum convenience for those parents who don't care about safety of other children.

MythicalKings · 24/06/2015 06:47

Police and council - keep on at them.

I feel your pain, OP, we get it twice a day. The evenings are worse because wanker parents arrive half an hour early to get the prime places rather than walk 100 yards.

We residents got letters telling us not to park outside our houses at the top of our lane because it's narrow, on a bend and at the top of a hill. My NDN told the PCSO where to shove it because we never do, it's the bloody parents.

JohnCusacksWife · 24/06/2015 07:59

there are things the school can do

Can you give some specific examples? This is a problem caused entirely and solely by selfish, ignorant parents. No one else.

SoldierBear · 24/06/2015 08:06

I did.
Promote walking and cycling
Ask council to put in road measures so only residents have access

DarkEvilMoon · 24/06/2015 09:19

"Ask council to put in road measures so only residents have access" how would this work for schools on a main through route?

Nooname01 · 24/06/2015 09:34

From experience nothing will help short of drafting in police officers every morning/afternoon....

DeeWe · 24/06/2015 09:36

School can do very little.

Our school had new double yellow lines painted last week. Just on the places where it really is dangerous to park-like on, yes that is on, the roundabout.
Monday people obeyed them... by today the usual people are parking there again.

I've even seen people move cones to park where they want to. Hmm

Am emailing out local community support officer in the hope he could come and ticket the arrogant idiots that think their need to park closer negates common sense.

lljkk · 24/06/2015 09:52

In mornings, our school caretaker stands out front & watches the cars driving up & where they park (HT sometimes does this duty instead, and PCSOs also turn up a few times a year). They speak to anybody parking inconsiderately or driving badly. This takes 10-15 minutes/day. YANBU.

Original poster
hibbledibble · 24/06/2015 10:18

I think it is the school's duty as it not only effects the local community, but also the safety of their children.

soldier what is no car access?

lljkk has a really good suggestion re what the school could do.

Today there were no cars parked illegally as the the traffic wardens were out. The problem is that as soon as they go, the illegal parking starts again.

OP posts:
Iggi999 · 24/06/2015 10:44

I imagine speaking to parents in that way would be massively stressful and leave you open to abuse. And what then? The janitor is off with stress? Or simply refuses to do this? What job do you want the janitor or headteacher to give up to allow them this time?

RooftopCat · 24/06/2015 10:46

Our school is the same. The traffic wardens turn up in their hi-viz jackets and everyone parks legally. Next day back to normal. The wardens should stand out of sight until 9am and then catch them in the act. A few tickets would surely put people off.

RooftopCat · 24/06/2015 10:48

I agree Iggi. 10-15 mins each day playing traffic warden is a waste of the janitor's or HT's time.

reni1 · 24/06/2015 10:55

It is infuriating though, because it is so dangerous. Maybe one could get some Year 5/6 children to note number plates and write on the school webpage about them? They might actually enjoy this.

"Could the parent with the number plate XYZ123 please park more responsibly, you are endangering children. Thank you, Mila (9) and Max (11), parking duty pupils"

Original poster
hibbledibble · 24/06/2015 11:06

iggi what do your suggest then?

reni that sounds like a good idea, as long as the parents aren't rude to the pupils. I would hope they wouldn't be, but as they are already showing a big lack of consideration with their parking, I don't know.

OP posts:
Uhplistrailer · 24/06/2015 11:11

YANBU, I have experience of this and I disagree with those saying the school can't do anything.

We have the same issue at ds1's school. It's so dangerous and inconsiderate.

The school have been excellent. I was told to contact the pcso, which I did, and the pcso has worked with the school to sort it out.

We're having zig zag lines put on the other side of the road now, so it'll be so much safer.

Contact your local pcso and take it from there.

Original poster
hibbledibble · 24/06/2015 11:17

uhp how do I get in touch with the pcso?

OP posts:
harryhausen · 24/06/2015 11:18

I live in South Bristol in a non-affluent area and we've had this problem for years and years.

The school have tried newsletter pleas, the headmaster standing outside the gates for a period. The school have asked for parents to take pictures of number plates and given us a direct number to contact - however, no-one dates due to a high risk of assault.

Our problem is massive 4x4's parking fully on pavements and corner pavements directly opposite the school. I drive to school as I live over 3 miles away (although we have walked occasionally) however I park about 4 streets away. It takes 2 mins to walk to the gate, no hassle. I know people who live down the road and drive. Plenty do walk.

Last year a reception child was knocked down outside the school and there was a huge crack down. Luckily the child wasn't too badly hurt but we had a heavy community police presence for 3 weeks. After one half term bollards appeared on both corners of the pavements near the gates. However some cars still manage to park these days in between the bollardsAngry!!

I just despair now.

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