to ask if you've heard of School Streets, and whether you think it's a good idea?

[Toomuchstuffwillkillme]

I just caught a bit of 'Clean Air for Kids' on R4 about School Streets in Hackney. Had not heard about it. (Must listen to whole programme properly in a bit!)
Seems like the sort of thing we should all be thinking about? I appreciate actually getting car-loving parents on board might be difficult, and there are probably a lot of issues that would need ironing out, but worth a try?
hackney.gov.uk/article/4379/School-streets

What I don’t understand is that when the school holiday arrive, all the traffic flows freely (annoyingly it takes ages to cross the road with moving traffic) but why is this if all the parents are going to work in their cars

What I don’t understand is that when the school holiday arrive, all the traffic flows freely (annoyingly it takes ages to cross the road with moving traffic) but why is this if all the parents are going to work in their cars

Because a good number of parents take annual leave to cover holidays?

What all 6 weeks?

What all 6 weeks?

I know a good number of families who split the hols yes, plus you take into account different routes when no school run etc etc. So instead of 50 cars going to Mumsnet Primary first, you only have 20 cars who still go that way anyway during the school holidays, the other 30 don’t need to detour

When my twins start school they’re likely to attend one a couple of streets away. One of those streets is an insanely steep hill. Due to disability I would be unable to walk up that hill twice a day. My twins both have ASD, one also has a visual impairment and I’d struggle to get them there safely either.

None of us qualify for a blue badge. The idea that everyone who can’t walk their kids to school due to disability can get a blue badge is so far from true it’s actually funny.

Wouldn't work with my DS's school which is on the corner of both a bypass and a major route in/out of the city centre. His primary school was also next to the bypass.

Well, ivykaty, they're rather obviously not going to work if they've got to stay home to watch their children during school holiday.

I don’t know anyone that gets 13 weeks of for the school holidays, even splitting the most would be 8 weeks.

In this area it is all the roads that are un congested, not particularly the streets with schools. Everyone comments how much less car traffic there is and peoples journeys are more pleasant on buses and cars

Sink the qualifying for blue badge is changing to include ASD, so you may qualify to get a blue badge for your dc

Schools by me on main very busy streets. Would bring the whole place to a standstill not viable really

I'm actually crying with laughter at some of these comments, suggestions that people cycle to the station and it will be just as quick. Or walk to work. Are you aware people actually don't have the same options as you?

Owlinatree there is no way cycling from one station to the other would take as long as the car trip in my town. Seriously there was a woman the other day complaining it had taken her 30 minutes to get out of her road onto the main road. I think it may have been an exaggeration- but the cars just literally crawl along between the two towns. Meaning you couldn’t drop a child at school in a car and make the station within 30 minutes, you could though if you cycled. Not everyone has that option as an ability - but if you reduce the cars then for those that have to drive they’d be able to accomplish there journey much swifter

Owl and I’m crying with laughter (not) that some people think that there are no parents who are simply too bloody lazy to walk or use public transport and just drive their kids to school.

Obviously in the world of Saint Mumsnet only those who absolutely 100% have no other option but to drive do so, but we all know the reality is very different.

And while you’re laughing children are breathing in toxic fumes.

Fucking hilarious.

But don't you think people are actually able to weigh up their options and make a sensible choice? Just because that's the situation for you, it doesn't mean it's the cure all.

God that sound awful i hope that doesn't happen, it's enough of a huge rush trying to do the school run then race to work as it is 🙄

There are obviously people who sit in their cars with the engines idling for no apparent reason. Something should be done I agree.

Assuming that people who work and have a limited window of time in the morning have myriad other options they just couldn't be bothered to consider before jumping in their cars is frankly just insulting.

Does anybody know why American style school buses have never been tried on any real scale in the U.K.?

There are obviously people who sit in their cars with the engines idling for no apparent reason. Something should be done I agree.

There are, and when I posted on AIBU about it a few years ago I was shot down in flames. Free choice to pollute the environment so you can charge your phone, listen to the radio or have the air conditioning is fine according to MN.

cole there are parts of the country that have school coaches, I guess it wouldn't work in areas that have a wide range of possible schools.
In the US schools are only done by catchment area. The parts of the U.K. Where I have seen school bus transport are also limited school choice areas.

In the US schools are only done by catchment area. The parts of the U.K. Where I have seen school bus transport are also limited school choice areas.

Yes, the two things would have to go together.

The problem is limiting access to school might put the engine idlers off, but in doing so you would severely impact some family's economics. You would end up with more unemployed people or people severely restricted as to where they can work.

Another idea is needed.

Owlina a lot of people are very stupid, even if they’re not on MN. All the people I know in RL who drive the DC to school (not many and not very often, not be fair) do it because they’ve got up late or are too disorganised. Not going on anywhere. There are schools where a majority of mothers, in particular, don’t work or work part time or at home.

MN would have you believe there are no people like that. No people who idle on the zigzags outside the school with their engine running, no people who’s kids fling the roadside door open with narry a glance around and nearly take DD out who’s cycling down the road. Idiots. Selfish idiots. Lazy idiots. Disorganised idiots. They don’t exist in MN world. Everyone is virtuously doing their best having carefully weighed up each and every option, with a Very Important Job to dash off to.

You know that’s nonsense.

Why do families economics trump children’s health? Why does fucking anything trump that?

Their health would be quite effected by poverty to though.

I’m in favour of a standard 20 mph speed limit on non main roads. I think this would make a big difference in how safe the walk to school is.
I also remember reading about ‘walking buses’ which seemed like a great solution but don’t seem to have taken off.