Forum Topic

No cars outside schools?

Just read the article on the main page: http://www.putneysw15.com/default.asp?section=info&link=http://neighbournet.com/server/common/ldrwandsidilingschools001.htmWhilst school drop off traffic is a problem - is this proposal realistic?  How do you stop non-resident traffic?  Set up barriers? Man them? What about deliveries to local residents?  What about visitors cars (will they get ticketed for being in the area?).As long as families choose schools rather than getting allocated their nearest primary this problem will persist.  Then will the same apply to private schools?

Alan Sherman ● 2778d51 Comments

You write as if this proposal came out of nowhere, but it's already been successfully trialled in a number of different places, including Hackney and Edinburgh, and the sky didn't fall in there..

Richard Carter ● 2778d

Good to see Wandsworth finally taking some action on this, hopefully they have learned something from their unambitious and unsuccessful living streets bid. Shame it’s not being trialled in the cluster of schools we have in West Putney but hopefully that will come in due course. Reducing car usage makes it safer for people to walk and cycle to school instead, more needs to be done to build safe cycle infrastructure but it’s a  welcome start.

William Smith ● 2778d

Primary schools are generally not too far from where the person lives so shouldn't cause a problem. This is fantastic news, in some cases its possibly the only exercise the child (and adult?) will get all day. Bot only does this add to the pollution problem but the chaos outside school gates with cars illegally parking creates safety issues in many casesI hope that this is a huge success!

Emarisa Battoia ● 2778d

You can't expect a mother/father to take their children to school by bike how are they then going to take the child's bike home again and cycle at the same time. Then come back again at the end of school. Two primary schools at the end of the road too me, some parents might have a couple of children, then possible more accidents on the road. Children who are older can bike on their own. But saying walking a distance what about parents with a disability. Don't just think how you are put out.

Barbara Stevens ● 2778d

But it can be done. My daughter and son in law manage it every day. Their son is 5 and a good confident cyclist. One of them cycles with him to school where he can park his bike for the day. The other picks him up at the end of the day and they cycle home together. More and more schools make room for kids’ bikes. More and more parents cycle too. Obviously doesn’t suit all and distances count. People just have to try and use side roads where they can.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2778d

Disabled people will still be able to driveI take it that you were driven to school every day Barbara? I wasn't and my mum managed fine with 3 children taking us to school every day and then going on to work. People have come to rely on cars when actually you can manage without them most of the timeFYI people have to live within a certain distance of a primary school, its called a catchment area, this is the norm not the exception. So i dont think that your points are valid. Sorry

Emarisa Battoia ● 2778d

Emirissa I walked to school around the corner in Sheen alright in the summer but what about when it's raining. My mum would be 110yrs and my dad would 117. We had fog and smog you can't even see your hand in front of you. I lived in Barnes and worked in Olympia at 15yrs old and it was snowing so bad no buses I had to walk all the way home to Upper Richmond Rd so don't make out I was mollycoddled.

Barbara Stevens ● 2778d

so if that is the case then why are you saying its not possible for parents to walk or cycle their children to school, catchment areas around 1km or less usually, so walking is an option

Emarisa Battoia ● 2778d

I well remember the dense fog and smell of coal fires. Mum used to insist I wrapped a scarf around my mouth and nose during the 3 minute walk to school.I think walking or cycling should be compulsory if you live within a mile of the school. Of course exceptions for the disabled, but not inclement weather...ok so the little darlings get a bit wet!

Simon Knight ● 2778d

its fun when you're a kid to get wet!

Emarisa Battoia ● 2778d

Simon, I am another one that remembers dense fog and the smell of coal fire.  I had to walk sometimes through the West Mids. countryside with my mum for about 30 minutes when I was at infant school, my husband also remembers walking for about half an hour to get to infant school in Aston, B’ham. We both enjoy walking now and that is, I think, because we walked fair distances as children.Totally support no cars outside schools.  Look forward to it being brought into my neighbourhood, as I am close to OLV and Hotham.

Martine Guy ● 2778d

Emarissa why would you think I was driven to school, I've seen a blind young lady coming to Putney from the top of Dover House Road to collect her children is she meant to walk all that way just to please you. It's probably because children get wet that's why their ill in later life. Perhaps grandparents take their grandchildren to school and you expect them to rush in the mornings. Just because life for you is ideal it isn't for everybody else. I used to take my son to school then go to work but not everybody can walk a long distance.

Barbara Stevens ● 2778d

Barbara, at no point have i said you have been driven to school. Lets just leave it, i don't think you are understanding my point or reading what i am saying properly - sorry to upset you. FYI a blind  lady could not exactly drive could she? So i really do not understand your points. Have a lovely day

Emarisa Battoia ● 2778d

Its good to see St Marys CofE Primary School on Felsham Rd placing no-parking signs outside the entrance to the school in the mornings to stop drop offs and cars left running.Maybe this will encourage Hotham Primary school to do the same?How Hotham P school has not complained over a large camper van parking sometimes near the entrance to the school obstructing the view I fail to understand the schools regard for the students safety.

Robert E Wilkinson ● 2778d

If you think that is bad come and have a look on Burlington Rd in Fulham, the parents bringing their children to Fulham Prep School are the worst i have come across

Emarisa Battoia ● 2778d

The owner of the camper van is not a parent at Hotham School.

Martine Guy ● 2778d

Catchment areas are a messBrandlehow is 300 metres or so but then parents move further away.... The CofE schools use distance after a religion based criteria. OLV is church attendance based, but across the whole parish.Hotham has distance. Oasis and Granard have distance as criteria, but tend to be where people who didn't get into the other (mainly faith based) schools go. Then the private schools too.So we have a crazy jigsaw of children crossing over each other to go to school. Unless attendance criteria is based on distance then the no car policy seems at odds with admissions policies.

Alan Sherman ● 2778d

I totally agree with this. Lytton Grove in Putney is at a standstill on weekday mornings by mums (and dads!) in their massive 4x4s dumping their cars wherever there is space to get there kids 1 metre  away from PHS.They have no attention or care for other people walking on pavements. A number of times I've had a car door nearly opened into me with no apology at all.Why they can't either walk them or drop them off the  other side of Putney Hill is anyone's guess. I would like to see cameras in Lytton (similar to red route cameras) that turn on during certain times.  An AI then sees where the car is registered and if it is within a certain distance (say a mile) they get a ticket in the post.

Gabrielle O'Mahoney ● 2778d

Gabrielle re the cameras, brilliant idea!

Emarisa Battoia ● 2778d

Emarisa, you demonstrate admirable patience!

Jane Carter ● 2778d

Alan, is walking across Putney with children really so arduous.  I know that I am lucky to live within 2 minutes walk of Hotham where my daughter is at school, but say we had been offered places at Brandlehow or Granard, there is no way I would be getting the car out.  I think some of the Hotham parents live in Roehampton and I can understand them having to drive, but they should not expect to park up in front of the main entrance, and not saying they do either! 

Martine Guy ● 2778d

Actually seven done you said i must have been driven to school Marissa.

Barbara Stevens ● 2778d

I'm saying what I see! We ended up in Barnes so usually drive.  When we cycle I've seen school run mums drive within a metre of my 6 year old's back wheel!  Drive/ walk takes us 15 to 20 minutes usually.  Walk / bus would be 40. Cycling is 25 min at 6 year old pace, but a bit scary in places. My point is that a no car policy is at odds with the inconsistent admissions policies and choice of school. Granard is 20 minutes walk at adult pace to Hotham / OLV. I'd say 30 with a 4 year old.

Alan Sherman ● 2778d

Your right Alan and they might also have another toddler to take as well if nobody else to look after them. Some people seem to have a charmed life with no problems but want to make them for somebody else.

Barbara Stevens ● 2778d

As far as I understand it, they are not saying you can’t drive your child to school, my understanding is that you can’t drive your child to school and then expect to park up right by or in front of the school.  I am assuming parents will have to find a space a bit further away and then walk a minute or two to the school.

Martine Guy ● 2778d

That's how I read it Martine.

Lucille Grant ● 2778d

Actually seven down you said about me being driven to school Emarissa. Have a nice day.

Barbara Stevens ● 2778d

Emarissa it was not your original post it was Alan's other people are allowed to put on the subject what they think the Forum is not just for you to be sarky and rude, and you might not always be right.

Barbara Stevens ● 2778d

Actually Jane I do remember when your husband used to get on everybody's wick and was banned for a while, then you took over until he was reinstated. That's the pot calling the kettle black.

Barbara Stevens ● 2778d

I don't think Richard was ever  banned. He left of his own accord if I remember correctly?

Lucille Grant ● 2778d

Lucille, I think we have had a flounce off the Forum, plus on another occasion he seemed to be banned and there was a campaign to reinstate him.

Martine Guy ● 2778d

Hackney has 5 primary schools with no cars outside which apparently is working well.  They plan toraise that number to 17. Yes, there are problems but nothing  that can't be solved.Parents have taken more to walking where possible. Originally, of course, primary schools were for local children. Few people had cars.Things change.

Barbara Shillabeer ● 2778d

Does anyone know what is happening to the Hackney parents that still choose to drive their children?  Are they parking further away from the schools?  It is great that more families are walking where possible.

Martine Guy ● 2778d

'I take it you were driven to school every day'Good grief.  A car?  Very few people could afford a car when I was young! I, like most children walked.  A long distance too.  But then there was no worries about perverts etc as there is now. My parents both worked so there was no other option but to walk with lots of other children in the same circumstances. I admit I know very little about catchment areas, but I do know personally of people who were unable to get siblings into the same school.

Barbara Shillabeer ● 2778d

Barbara from Barbara I agree only about two cars in our road in Barnes and one was my Cousin's. We had the bread man came to the door, milkman, rag and bone man, ice cream van etc.

Barbara Stevens ● 2778d

Hackney parents are now parking a short distance away and walking the rest.It is in fact working.

Barbara Shillabeer ● 2778d

Slight confusion.  I answered Emarisa's post thinking she was referring to mine as she said Barbara.Reading other posts I realise it could have been the other Barbara. However we can't differentiate by surname initial as we are both Barbara S !  Barbara have you any suggestions?

Barbara Shillabeer ● 2778d

Barbara don't worry about it, if they were sarky to me this time, it can be you next time. Ha Ha.

Barbara Stevens ● 2778d

Ok, I've read up on the Hackney plans, camera enforcement. No visitors,  no deliveries, no trades during school drop off and pick up times,  term time only.  Sounds like more annoyance for those that live by a school, and expensive implementation.  But a trade off with less craziness with school run parents.  The issue will be pushed to just outside the zone I expect. https://hackney.gov.uk/article/4379/School-streets

Alan Sherman ● 2778d

I hope it’s successful. There is no reason that most children and their parents couldn’t walk a short distance, or even all the way from home. That might help move things along a little quicker to get safer streets for walking - and dare I say it cycling.

Ruth Pates ● 2778d

The only problem I have with the proposed scheme is that tradespeople would not be able to park near my home during the hours of operation.  It makes things difficult for residents having work done on their homes.  Otherwise I support the Proposal.

Martine Guy ● 2777d

Before any of these imaginings become accepted wisdom, I can clear things up:I was banned for a short period because I had quoted the response I received from a bus driver ("F*** off" several times) who had heedlessly stopped across a pedestrian crossing, thus blocking it.  I felt it right to quote him in full to make clear the nature of his response, but the system banned me anyway.And I did retire from the forum for a while because I'd become fed up with the endlessly sneering, negative comments of one contributor. But I did come back, having decided it was wrong to be put off by such a sad loser, by not responding, or even bothering to read, her comments. Result: happiness.

Richard Carter ● 2777d

So you were banned for a while and you did flounce off the Forum?

Martine Guy ● 2777d

I am working mother and drive to work. I would have to leave work 30 mins earlier in order to pick up on foot which would make me situation untenable. I would never drive if I didn’t work, but there is already so much pressure on working parents. There are always unintended impacts of well intended actions...

Sarah Whyatt ● 2777d

Of course some people will still have to drive to pick up their children. All they are being asked is not to park outside or close to school gates. This is for the benefit of all children so surely worth a minor inconvenience to parents

Jane Carter ● 2777d

Do you think that using a phrase like "flounce off" is a positive contribution ?

Richard Carter ● 2777d

Richard, do you think using words like “sad loser” are a positive contribution?

Martine Guy ● 2777d

What would the forum do without the word ‘sneering’?  Can we have a sneer box with £1 per sneer or sneering to charity?

Craig Fordham ● 2777d

@RC 14.41"And I did retire from the forum for a while because I'd become fed up with the endlessly sneering, negative comments of one contributor. But I did come back, having decided it was wrong to be put off by such a sad loser, by not responding, or even bothering to read, her comments."And who is this "sad loser"?

Sue Hammond ● 2777d

Well, you may be right but I wouldn't presume to judge,  but one contributor here referred on the 'Great News from Richmond and North Kingston' thread at 13:42:00 on 02/22/16 to "sore losers." And who was this poster whom you would,  perhaps, consign, à la Donald Tusk, to a special place in hell? It was none other than ....  Martine Guy!

Richard Carter ● 2777d

If they can't park near the school what part of the road can they park as Putney is Red Route. Three schools all near to each other makes it impossible. There is also a barrier at the end of the road because it was a rat run and a young child got run over. So they have to leave another child in the car or two other children in a car so they can get the one from school. Or get them all out of the car and put them all back again. Jane I'm sure you were a super mum.

Barbara Stevens ● 2777d