Parents of some of Richmond's youngest schoolchildren are facing the prospect of paying £75 a year to drop them at school from September if new proposals are agreed.
The borough's parking chief has revealed a plan to introduce parents' parking permits at 13 schools situated in controlled parking zones.
The scheme would see parents allowed to buy one permit per family, for up to two cars, allowing them to park in specified residential bays for 15 minutes. Those with the highest polluting cars will pay £75, while those with lower emission vehicles will pay less.
Councillor David Trigg, Richmond Council cabinet member for traffic, transport and parking, said there had been complaints from residents close to some schools, forcing a re-think of the previous informal arrangements.
He said some schools had been taking advantage when issuing their own permits, with one giving out 150 for just 14 available spaces when it had 94 pupils. But a representative of one Hampton Wick pre-school has questioned the decision.
Simon Burman, from the Pre-School Centre in Station Road, said he had confirmed there were no complaints about his school and criticised a lack of consultation.
"We have operated as a nursery since October 1985," he said. "This is the first time I have thrown my hands up.
Mr Burman said his school might be forced to pay for the permits for parents, putting financial strain on the business. He said he had spoken to all the affected schools, with one planning to alter opening hours to avoid the restricted hours.
"There are a lot of people for whom money is tight," he said.
"Some have three or four kids dropping off at different schools. It's not feasible to not use a car."
Coun Trigg added: "The aim is to reduce car use for the school run, improve road safety around the schools and protect the parking facilities for nearby residents.
"It is likely a final decision will be made following a meeting of the council's cabinet later in the summer."
Windham Nursery School, Windham Road, Richmond
6:35am Thursday 24th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Graham Thatcher, Hampton Hill on 8:51am Thu 24 Apr 08
Whilst my childrens schools are not on the list it will only be a matter of time before this escalates around the Richmond Borough. My issue is that my 10 year old walks to school some 1.5 miles away with two friends at the moment. Over a period of the last two months, they have been terrorised by two older teenagers who are about 18 or 19 who only this week pulled up in a car and tried to make a grab for them. this may be a case of the two teens having a laugh or something more sinister. This has resulted in the fact that my wife now has to take the girls to school.
As no actual offence has yet happened the police do not wish to know until something more concrete happens.
I suspect other parents also worry about the safety of school children. Maybe local authority could ensure the safety of children which would then give parents the knowledge that children can walk to school in safety.
Whilst my childrens schools are not on the list it will only be a matter of time before this escalates around the Richmond Borough. My issue is that my 10 year old walks to school some 1.5 miles away with two friends at the moment. Over a period of the last two months, they have been terrorised by two older teenagers who are about 18 or 19 who only this week pulled up in a car and tried to make a grab for them. this may be a case of the two teens having a laugh or something more sinister. This has resulted in the fact that my wife now has to take the girls to school.
As no actual offence has yet happened the police do not wish to know until something more concrete happens.
I suspect other parents also worry about the safety of school children. Maybe local authority could ensure the safety of children which would then give parents the knowledge that children can walk to school in safety.
Posted by: helen, MORDEN on 8:58am Thu 24 Apr 08
HOW RIDICULOUS IS THIS? IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO KEEP YOUR CHILD OFF SCHOOL AND JUST GET FINED FOR £50!! HAVENT THEY GOT BETTER THINGS TO HIT OUT AT? SOME PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF HAVE TO DRIVE TO SCHOOL TO BE ABLE TO GET TO WORK ON TIME ........ YES SOME MOTHERS DO WORK!!!!!! SOME PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO GET A LIFE!
HOW RIDICULOUS IS THIS? IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO KEEP YOUR CHILD OFF SCHOOL AND JUST GET FINED FOR £50!! HAVENT THEY GOT BETTER THINGS TO HIT OUT AT? SOME PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF HAVE TO DRIVE TO SCHOOL TO BE ABLE TO GET TO WORK ON TIME ........ YES SOME MOTHERS DO WORK!!!!!! SOME PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO GET A LIFE!
Posted by: A Mum, Twickenham on 9:50am Thu 24 Apr 08
Many of my childs friends walk to school alone and have done for a couple of years (they are 9). I do not feel safe allowing my child to walk to school alone, so use the car as I then have to travel onto work. It all boils down to money, and how much more the council can squeeze out of residents, what happened to the concerns about child safety? he council have a child safety department, but do they consult them before deciding on such money making schemes???
Many of my childs friends walk to school alone and have done for a couple of years (they are 9). I do not feel safe allowing my child to walk to school alone, so use the car as I then have to travel onto work. It all boils down to money, and how much more the council can squeeze out of residents, what happened to the concerns about child safety? he council have a child safety department, but do they consult them before deciding on such money making schemes???
Posted by: Jack, Twickenham on 11:16am Thu 24 Apr 08
These all seem to be infant or nursery schools where the children are too young to walk to school on their own.
Many are independent schools where the parents have not chosen their local school. Hence, more parents using cars and causing local difficulties.
I think it looks a good idea if it encourages parents to park in proper spaces and not illegally. All the children should be a lot safer.
These all seem to be infant or nursery schools where the children are too young to walk to school on their own.
Many are independent schools where the parents have not chosen their local school. Hence, more parents using cars and causing local difficulties.
I think it looks a good idea if it encourages parents to park in proper spaces and not illegally. All the children should be a lot safer.
Posted by: ric, kingston on 12:05pm Thu 24 Apr 08
as much as i hate women in 4x4's dropping kids off at school. i think sadly this is another road stealth tax which is totally unfair.
surely you have to offer an alternative like a bus service.
this wont cure the problem. it will just leave familys with even less cash.
do they actually want a recession?
as much as i hate women in 4x4's dropping kids off at school. i think sadly this is another road stealth tax which is totally unfair.
surely you have to offer an alternative like a bus service.
this wont cure the problem. it will just leave familys with even less cash.
do they actually want a recession?
Posted by: G.Virr, Sunbury Common on 2:57pm Thu 24 Apr 08
Has any school organised a drop-off and pick-up system where drivers do not have to leave their vehicles ?.
Has any school organised a drop-off and pick-up system where drivers do not have to leave their vehicles ?.
Posted by: Jack, Twickenham on 4:00pm Thu 24 Apr 08
I have seen it in Wallingford and heard about it elsewhere, and St Mary's thought about it for the junior site but it is not always safe.
I have seen it in Wallingford and heard about it elsewhere, and St Mary's thought about it for the junior site but it is not always safe.
Posted by: David, Teddington on 4:48pm Thu 24 Apr 08
I can't believe the council has announced this just a week before local elections. Do they want to give voters another reason to vote them out next Thursday? Farcical.
I can't believe the council has announced this just a week before local elections. Do they want to give voters another reason to vote them out next Thursday? Farcical.
Posted by: Anonymous, Twickenham on 6:13pm Thu 24 Apr 08
I would dearly love to walk my 4 year old to school when she starts this September. However, currently the 3 'nearest' infant schools to us are all oversubscribed and we are waiting to be placed somewhere in the borough. Depending how things pan out, I may be forced to drive her to school. I hope we won't be penalised because the distribution of school places doesn't match up with distribution of children.
I would dearly love to walk my 4 year old to school when she starts this September. However, currently the 3 'nearest' infant schools to us are all oversubscribed and we are waiting to be placed somewhere in the borough. Depending how things pan out, I may be forced to drive her to school. I hope we won't be penalised because the distribution of school places doesn't match up with distribution of children.
Posted by: John, Barnes on 6:41pm Thu 24 Apr 08
SOLUTION
Each school has a designated drop off point in a nearby street - like a bus stop but for cars. When all the kids have been dropped off a teacher can walk them to school.
RESULT - Kids get exercise, parents save money & the Council gets nothing to pay for the scheme
SOLUTION
Each school has a designated drop off point in a nearby street - like a bus stop but for cars. When all the kids have been dropped off a teacher can walk them to school.
RESULT - Kids get exercise, parents save money & the Council gets nothing to pay for the scheme
Posted by: Phil Duncan, Teddington on 3:53pm Fri 25 Apr 08
At last, some sense from our councillors. Anything that reduces the traffic blight of the school run is worth trying. Children should be walking to school or taking public transport.
If it were practical, I would ban parking within half a mile of any school. We would have less pollution and less fat children, I call that a win, win.
At last, some sense from our councillors. Anything that reduces the traffic blight of the school run is worth trying. Children should be walking to school or taking public transport.
If it were practical, I would ban parking within half a mile of any school. We would have less pollution and less fat children, I call that a win, win.
Posted by: Anna, richmond on 4:32pm Fri 25 Apr 08
i have to say that parents do cause a lot of parking problems when they take there kids to school.
but then they may not have a choice to use there cars as they have be in a ruch or they have to get to work.[bold]bold[/bold]
i have to say that parents do cause a lot of parking problems when they take there kids to school.
but then they may not have a choice to use there cars as they have be in a ruch or they have to get to work.
Posted by: halle, cheam on 9:26am Mon 28 Apr 08
yet again another prime example of Britain's 'great ideas!'.
They put more and more rules and regs in place but never come up with an alternative. Unofortunately it doesnt suit everybody to walk their kids to school, fair enough their are a lot of lazy people who drive for no apparent reason, but be fair.
yet again another prime example of Britain's 'great ideas!'.
They put more and more rules and regs in place but never come up with an alternative. Unofortunately it doesnt suit everybody to walk their kids to school, fair enough their are a lot of lazy people who drive for no apparent reason, but be fair.
Posted by: Emma, Twickenham on 1:02pm Wed 30 Apr 08
We live near St Mary's School, Amyand Park road. I think this is a brilliant idea although I don't believe that the worst offenders will pay any attention. They will continue to abandon their cars willy nilly while they pop into the schoolyard for a chinwag with their mates! It is not their parking legally we object to, it is that they block our driveways, obstruct the road and that they often leave the cars unattended. When we complain that we cannot get our own car out of our driveway, we are subjected to a torrent of verbal abuse. Thank goodness that finally the council has taken note and traffic wardens are on the prowl at school start and finish times now.
We live near St Mary's School, Amyand Park road. I think this is a brilliant idea although I don't believe that the worst offenders will pay any attention. They will continue to abandon their cars willy nilly while they pop into the schoolyard for a chinwag with their mates! It is not their parking legally we object to, it is that they block our driveways, obstruct the road and that they often leave the cars unattended. When we complain that we cannot get our own car out of our driveway, we are subjected to a torrent of verbal abuse. Thank goodness that finally the council has taken note and traffic wardens are on the prowl at school start and finish times now.
Posted by: Sue, Richmond on 2:32pm Thu 1 May 08
What's the matter with walking or catching a bus there free for all children!
What's the matter with walking or catching a bus there free for all children!
Posted by: al, London on 3:19pm Thu 1 May 08
this country is fast turning into a joke - Vote BNP !!
this country is fast turning into a joke - Vote BNP !!
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