School parking.....

[Shirleycantbe]

My childrens' school is in a resident parking area in London - at pick up time the bays are Residents only. It's therefore a nightmare for any one to park and people ignore the residents only rule - thus putting themselves at risk of being ticketed by the traffic wardens that roam the streets at that time. The residents also get extremely irate (understandably) that the street is difficult for them to park in between 3pm and 4pm.

Now my question. As I live in the same borough, I have Visitor parking permits I can use that allow me, legally, to park in the street at any time. I have been doing this once a week maximum (my children finish school after restrictions have ended at other times).

The school ask parents not to park in these bays because it annoys the residents. AIBU to park there anyway since I am legally entitled to?

I'd say if you have a visitor permit that you've paid for, tough if the residents don't like it. I presume the school has been there for some time. If you live near a school you have to expect a bit of disruption at drop off/pick up times. If you're parking legally and considerately, then you're perfectly entitled to park.

YANBU. You have a valid permit.

There should be plenty of space at that time while folk are at work anyway.

I say YANBU because you have the visitors permit. The problem isn't really the school's, it's the parking wardens'/ council's, who should be patrolling these high incident areas more strictly at peak times.

This morning was the first day my kids were back. The road was jammed with people shouting at each other to reverse or move aside along with beeping horns or swearing. Never seen it like that before. When we got further up there were 3 police vehicles parked haphazardly which was clearly causing the obstruction and everyone's frustrations. A woman who lives facing the school called them because there was too many cars talk about making it worse. I know this woman. She doesn't work or drive. She has no school age children. She only ever "gardens" during drop off or pick up time. Clearly looking out for things to be outraged by. :o

Hmm. Yes there could be a bit of that. I had my license plate photographed by a resident this afternoon which is what prompted this thread.

I did point out to him (very politely) that I was legally parked...

If it's legal for you to park there YANBU to park there.

But how close is the school to your home? Could you not manage to do the pickup on foot just once a week for the sake of being a considerate neighbour?

It's 3 miles each way so fairly long. I do often take the train in the morning but after school we need to get to activities that we couldn't reach in time by public transport.

Can you - yes.

Should you - no.

The residents are obviously at breaking point with this - show a bit of consideration and park and walk.

There should be plenty of space at that time while folk are at work anyway.

Not in my bit of London, at least!

Doesn't everybody live in the borough

YANBU though, I guess. I can see why it's annoying for residents though.

I didn't know so many people used cars for the school run in London - or even had cars. In my mind, the city is this oasis where everybody uses the tubes, busses or walks everywhere

Manic once you get outside about zone 4 it is much more suburban. Some boroughs don't even have a tube

Is there a reason why you can't park 10 minutes away, or do all the streets in the area have resident's bays?

You need to speak to the school about the parking difficulties. At our school, we have an agreement with a local pub that parents can park there and walk to the school. It works because the pub is usually shut at 3pm. Are there any pubs with parking nearby or any other local businesses you could suggest?

Why shouldn't the OP park there SirChenjin? She's got a valid parking permit. Do residents who live in streets with schools get special snowflake status?

I didn't know so many people used cars for the school run in London - or even had cars. In my mind, the city is this oasis where everybody uses the tubes, busses or walks everywhere

Unfortunately we also have teeny tiny school catchments. So if you don't get into your nearest one, you will probably miss out on any other schools in walking distance. And faith schools really mess up local catchments too - a lot of kids driven in, while local kids are driven in the opposite direction.

Lynda - because as I said, the residents are being driven to distraction by people who don't live there clogging up the road with their cars. The only 'special snowflake' are the children who are unable to walk the length of themselves because their parents won't show consideration for the people who are sick and tired of their streets being used as car parks by parking and walking.

Ironically I have a Catholic primary school 8 doors down from me where I live but of course my kids couldn't get a place there....

Of course my road gets super busy during pick up and drop off times.

Yes, I mostly can (and often do) park 10 minutes away and walk. But if I occasionally, because it's raining or the kids are laden or shattered or we need to be somewhere within 20 minutes, use a visitor permit - I guess I'm wondering if that's cheeky/outrageous of me.

I think it's fine. Legally and morally. I bet some of those residents do exactly the same thing with their visitor permits (possibly in your road for the school near you)

But SirChenjin, I live really near the station and the high street. It pisses me off that parking is really difficult on my street because of all the commuters and workers who park here but realistically, it's s public highway and they have as much right to park here as I do. Same as the OP has a right to park outside her kids' school.

You have a permit, and it's fine for you to use it. I'd think you were bonkers if you didn't tbh.

I don't think it's outrageous or cheeky and you've every right to use the permit.

However, I do think choosing not to park a simple 10 minute walk away because your kids are 'laden' or 'shattered' is a bit of a weak excuse that many parents make (not just you by any means!) and adds to the school run parking chaos that seems to be nationwide.

Most kids are shattered when they come out of school and I'm quite sure between you, you can carry whatever they're laden with to the car.

I found out today that the residents have altered the parking signs in front of 3 of the houses to try to prevent people parking there even when they are legally allowed to. (They have changed Residents parking only 10am - 4.30pm to 10am - 9pm using a very professional looking stickers).

Feeling less like being considerate now.

How do you know it was residents? Could've been local council (they do use stickers as temporary measures I think).

If you know it's not the council, I'd report it as vandalism.

I phoned the council to check and they had no knowledge of it

Then the only option is to dress up, cat burglar style, and take the thing that scrapes ice off the windscreen to the stickers.

Good luck OP.