They are shutting the road to the school

[CheckMate2]

My DC school has just announced that the road to the school will be shut at drop off and pick up times to make it safer for social distancing.

This is a huge problem for me as I have 3 to drop off at different schools, they are asking us to park far away and walk.

I think it's down to the residents complaining about the parking but to close it completely seems so ott for the working parents and the parents who have to drive.

What do you think?

I'd like to think that all the schools and your employer would be accommodating under the circumstances. They have a very valid reason for putting these restrictions in place.

I think it's up to you to manage the situation, in the same way we've had to manage everything else.

Maybe drop second child off a little earlier so you can walk youngest in on time x

It's called School Streets as a PP pointed out.

Info is in the link. They started this in my area a few weeks ago.

To be honest not knowing the background I can understand why they are doing it but then again councils should only allow children to attend their local catchment schools to reduce the need for parents to drive their kids everywhere

Nice idea but in reality, with so many parents renting their homes and LL's selling up/putting the rent up, some parents have to move home every year.

They can't keep taking their kids out of school and starting them at a new one every time.

Plus, a lot of kids have SEND that only certain schools can accommodate.

People are driving because they have to do things like drop kids at three different schools and get to work on time, like the OP.

It might work to set off earlier but then it might not, as you can sometimes only drop children off between certain times. And it might not work at all at pick up.

@Omeara

Do the school have a right to close a public highway?

It'll be the council doing it.

I suspect the OP lives near me, as it was announced yesterday to be happening to a road a school local to me is doing this as well.

I can understand why the council feel it is necessary, I can also understand why it is so annoying to the OP.

People shouldn't be able to drive near to or past schools - it makes it too dangerous for small children and families. I'm afraid I think this is a change you just have to find a way to make: safety of kids is more important than convenience...

To be honest not knowing the background I can understand why they are doing it but then again councils should only allow children to attend their local catchment schools to reduce the need for parents to drive their kids everywhere 🤷‍♀️

How does that work when there are way more houses than school places?

Is it the school road?
I understand it’s annoying but also if they need to do it to allow social distancing safely then it has to happen. You’ll need to leave home earlier.

@INeedADayOff

Unless it’s a private road, they can’t shut a public highway, only the local authority can, I’d be amazed that any local authority has the money to do this at the moment, have the done a consultation?

If it’s a private road it’s still completely unenforceable as they are not subject to highway rules and regulations...

My town has just done this on one road that gets busy with school traffic. It’s the council that’s done it, not the school.

It’s not a huge issue, just drop the others of 5 minutes earlier and walk the 5 year old in.

If you lived on a street near a school that was used for pickup and drop off then you’d think differently. The parking is selfish and ill-thought by the parents picking up their little darlings. It won’t kill anyone to have to walk a little bit to pick up their children.

To be honest not knowing the background I can understand why they are doing it but then again councils should only allow children to attend their local catchment schools to reduce the need for parents to drive their kids everywhere

Our catchment primary is 4 miles along unlit country roads with no foot path other than 200 yards before the school. My 3 yr old goes to a pre school 9 miles away. We're not walking and yes, I have to drive to work after dropping them off on some days.

I think it's down to the residents complaining about the parking but to close it completely seems so ott for the working parents and the parents who have to drive.

Aww, what a wee shame.

I'm one of the residents who complain. Because many parents who drop off and pick up from school park like total dickheads. School asks them nicely not to, and they ignore the nice warnings.

Closing the roads sounds amazing. Will at least stop the fuckers parking over my drive because "they're only dropping off".

It depends if you have to get to work afterwards OP? The extra time to walk back to the car could be an issue if your next stop is your workplace so I do sympathise if that's the case.

The only other thing that would bother me is people who struggle with walking far, are they letting in drivers who have a disabled badge? There's a mum who gets to our school half an hour before everyone else just so she can park outside the gate just next to the zigzag lines because she uses 2 sticks to walk. She says she has to turn up early to get the closest space or she wouldn't be able to collect DC, so I hope your school has made provisions for people in those circumstances.

If none of the above apply to you I would just see it as a bit of extra exercise. It won't make the other children late if it's your last drop off.

My kids have been at 4 schools. We can’t park anywhere near. Have always had to park and walk

It just take organising. I had to drop off 5 mins earlier

It’s a pain. But the people around need to be able to get out of drives. Our old school you were able to park close. But people kept parking outside people houses. So much so that it caused a lady not being able to get out when her mother was in a massive car accident and couldn’t get to her as she was being helicoptere in

Then there’s the aspect of so many people parking. That one lady got knocked down. So they shut off all parking close to the school.

OP you haven’t really answered the question about dropping the first two off earlier?

With our last school that wouldn’t have worked as they had to have a parent in the playground, even the eleven year olds. But I suppose you could find another parent and ask them to keep an eye on your child?

I live opposite a school and my road has been shut off at drop off and pick up times. Nothing to do with residents requesting this!

I’m with the residents btw. They have the right to live a safe life. Be able to get out of their houses. Be able to see to get out of their houses

I recently dropped something off at the school and noticed a huge lorry parked on the zigzags outside. Was so dangerous. I’m also a disabled driver. We have one disabled parking space and people just tend to park behind me. So I can’t move for 45 mins. Which drives me crazy. I’ve done the turning up and your early to be able to get closer to the school

Won't residents now affected complain as it only moves the problem to different streets?

Hope you find a solution, Op.

Oh and before someone pipes up with "well you knew there was a school when you bought the house" - yes we did. When my son started there the year after we moved in, there were 250 children in the school.

In the 13 years since, the roll has increased to 475. Almost double the children, double the cars and 10 times as many double parking dickhead drivers.

I can see why it's happening but also quite frustrating to read replies like 'just drop the others off earlier, just leave earlier'. Most schools, especially at the moment are really hot on timings and won't let people be dropped off sooner. The eldest may be at a secondary school but that doesn't automatically mean there is suitable public transport. I think it's pretty important to recognise that not everyone who drives to school is doing it because they are lazy or can't be arsed to get ready early.

Youngest is 5 but how old are the other ones?

The road will likely be very quiet as a residents road so no shops etc (otherwise they could t close it). So I’d allow from 8 upwards to walk alone presuming that the road will be rammed with others walking up.

How far do you live from the school
Most councils required to provide transport if over 3 miles

To be honest not knowing the background I can understand why they are doing it but then again councils should only allow children to attend their local catchment schools to reduce the need for parents to drive their kids everywhere 🤷‍♀️

Councils would need to make sure all the schools have enough places for all the local children first. That’s not always the case.

My DC1 didn’t get into our nearest school - the only one within what my council consider a reasonable walking distance - because it was oversubscribed. The council didn’t feel that it being our nearest school was a valid reason to breach Infant Class Size legislation and admit DC1 anyway.

We drive past the local school every day on the way to the school the DC did get into.