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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think there's not much else we can do and they should be more understsnding

103 replies

Hurr1cane · 19/09/2015 08:07

So DS goes to a special school. Most of the children there get school transport but about 5 children don't and we transport them ourselves, from very far away. My own school run is over 30 miles a day.

Anyway the school is currently having a lot of work done and the parent car park is full of building materials so we can't use it. The other car park is for the school buses, so we have to park on the street next to the school.

The street is made up of massive houses with massive drives. The drives can fit 3 or 4 cars in, there are no other 'adjoining' streets as at the end is a busy main road with no parking.

The first day was fine. Everyone was in their drives so there was plenty of parking spaces on the street, not blocking anyone's drives.

The next day, the residents started to park their cars on the street instead of their drives, there was less spaces but there was still enough for 4 cars. The street is very long. So it was fine.

The third day, all the residents seem to have parked on the street. All the drives were empty and they were all stood in their gardens watching, a few spaces there were now cones in. So there was about 2 spaces. I got there early so managed to park. Rushed DS in and another parent was sat in their car and took my space as I rushed off.

Since then it's just got worse and worse. Now parents are blocking the end of the street waiting for a space or parking on the single yellows using their blue badges (which the council confirmed was fine) and being told they can't park there by residents as they're trying to get their children out and into school. No one blocks anyone's drive, ever, there are only a few of us and none of us would ever do something like that.

This is making the school run really stressful and hard work. It's not as though we're being lazy, one our children are disabled and can't be safely walked far to school (my DS has almost been run over once already just crossing one quiet street) and two, most of us live over half an hour drive away.

This situation isn't perminant, it's only for a couple of months until the car park can be cleared of building equipment.

I don't know what the purpose of this thread is other than to rant but it's really getting me down. The school run is stressful as it is. As is life in general at the moment. I wish I could take him to a local school and walk him there like the majority of people but I just can't.

It's probably stressful for them too I know so I'm probably being unreasonable.

OP posts:
PolterGoose · 19/09/2015 08:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Chasingsquirrels · 19/09/2015 08:23

Park on the single yellows (which you have said is legal) and TOTALLY ignore them.
What can they do? If they try and get the single yellows enforced they will find you are in the right.
If they start parking on the single yellows (without appropriate badge) report them.

I am in utter shock at people being such twunts. Assuming your OP is accurate it is 5 cars for what, 20 mins max, twice a day? On a street where they can all park on their own land next to their house?

slightlynervous · 19/09/2015 08:23

If that doesn't work go to the local press.

Ohwhatfuckeryisthis · 19/09/2015 08:23

Could the school send a letter to the utter knobs residents, explaining the situation, asking for consideration (and generally making them look like the selfish idiots that they are). If not how about a dm sad face (totally justified) trip to local paper?

Shakirasma · 19/09/2015 08:24

It is unlawful for them to be putting cones in the street, I'd be seriously tempted to launch those across the road!

Sympathy to you op, I understand the car park chaos and bus Tetris you speak of, fortunately the neighbours by my sons special school are a much kinder bunch than yours x

Ohwhatfuckeryisthis · 19/09/2015 08:25

Sorry x post with penny and nervous.

Original poster
Hurr1cane · 19/09/2015 08:25

Like I said we can't park opposite the drives anyway so that's not what's bothering them I don't think. It's impossible to do without blocking the entire street.

I might ask about a new letter that's a good idea. I have asked about letting the collected children out earlier after DS was almost run over by a school bus and they seem to be doing that now. They also let the collected children in first. A new letter with the difficulties outlined sounds good

OP posts:
Whoknewitcouldbeso · 19/09/2015 08:26

This has really disgusted me. What arrogant wankers.

Ok, non emotional practical head on. Do they know the school caters for disabled children? If they are aware then I wonder if you or the school could organise a leaflet drop explaining that you are aware the residents are unhappy with the increase of on street parking. That it will be for X amount of months only and that due to the school children that attend having a range of SEN/disabilities some of which mean they can only walk short distances, you would really appreciate their cooperation in making school drop offs and pick ups as stress free and easy as possible.

Basically something emotive and I would hope they might give their heads a wobble and stop being do fucking petty.

Otherwise the school could try and organise a meeting and say the above as opposed to write the above.

Original poster
Hurr1cane · 19/09/2015 08:26

Also I've realised that 5 cars is over estimating as one child catches the bus with his mum and walks to school as she doesn't drive but lives fairly close.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hurr1cane · 19/09/2015 08:28

Thanks everyone. I'm going to talk about a slightly emotional letter next week to the head teacher. There's literally DS and 4 other boys who get dropped off, and one other boy who walks in with his mum. So 4 cars for 20 minutes a day

OP posts:
Shakirasma · 19/09/2015 08:31

And hold your head high and ignore them OP, remember you are in the right and they are rotten people. Don't let them intimidate you.

Original poster
Hurr1cane · 19/09/2015 08:31

Sorry DS and 4 other boys, one of whom gets walked in. So 4 cars and one walking

OP posts:
Whoknewitcouldbeso · 19/09/2015 08:32

OMG I love the local newspaper article idea with DM sad faced attached. Please do that and shame the arseholes.

froggyjump · 19/09/2015 08:32

I do sympathise, and it sounds like the neighbours are being twattish to those of you dropping kids off, but if there is building work going on at the school, does that mean there are trades vans, deliveries, workmens cars etc on their road all day at the moment too? Ie it might be more than your 5 cars that are pissing them off?

I wonder if you could get another badge for your cars explaining you are just dropping off (not that I think you should need to) so they realise you will only be there for a few minutes?

I'm not siding with the residents, just trying to think of practical solutions

Flowers
Original poster
Hurr1cane · 19/09/2015 08:32

Thanks everyone. I feel a bit better for the rant now. And I have a plan of action with the letter.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hurr1cane · 19/09/2015 08:34

The work vans are in the parents car park along with all their site stuff from what I've seen. And I've already had to collect early a couple of times due to seizures Sad the parents car park entrance is at the entrance to the street before any houses

OP posts:
laureywilliams · 19/09/2015 08:34

Ignore them. Ignore the cones. These people are bastards.
Consider 101 re illegal cones.
Consider the press, might shame them into behaving like decent human beings.
I wouldn't bother with a letter. They know the situation but don't care. They aren't worthy of your thoughts although I understand they're upsetting. Thanks

laureywilliams · 19/09/2015 08:38

They sound quite bullying. Coming out together with cones and harassing people and their children...

Ime trying to appease people like this makes them worse and more self righteous.

Original poster
Hurr1cane · 19/09/2015 08:39

They do know it's a special school, it's been a special school for a very very very long time. My friends a retiree and she remembers it as a special school when she was young.

OP posts:
Osolea · 19/09/2015 08:40

It amazes me that people can be so selfish and petty over a bit of road. These people must have very sad little lives if they've got that much energy to devote to a few people dropping their children to school.

Witchend · 19/09/2015 08:43

I can't really imagine that 4-5 cars are causing that much trouble on their own. One person making a fuss, but the whole group?

I think there must be more to it. Are they having building deliveries at 6am every morning, or workmen parking all day?
Even in my parents tiny roadw 4-5 car wouldn't make a huge hassle twice a day.

Sounds like they've had historical issues, so maybe this isn't the first time either.

NotSayingImBatman · 19/09/2015 08:43

It's illegal to block a car onto a driveway.

However, it's absolutely legal to block a car out of an unused driveway.

On Monday, if they carry on with this bollocks, park over the nearest empty drive, get out, give them your sweetest smile and go about your day.

Collaborate · 19/09/2015 08:43

I agree with everyone who's said the neighbours are behaving like complete arses.

Did you know that it's actually legal for you to park blocking a drive provided you're not preventing a car on the drive accessing the highway? So if all their cars are on the road, you should park at the entrance to their drives.

Normally I wouldn't recommend this, but it seems like they've left you with no choice.

In the alternative, perhaps the LA might be persuaded to threaten to allocate some on street parking purely for parents unless the neighbours start to behave with dignity, empathy, and was if they are also members of the human race.

Original poster
Hurr1cane · 19/09/2015 08:50

Thanks everyone. I do know that about the drives but I just can't bring myself to do it. I'm a bit soft! Last year they used to complain apparently if even one of us parked on the road. The gates were shut to the car park once and I parked considerately on the road and went into reception and she came out and opened the gates and told me to go into the car park before someone complained!

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 19/09/2015 08:51

What an absolutely vile thing to do. These people should be ashamed of themselves.

Their level of cooperation and coordination is impressive though! Think what good they could do if they put their minds to it