Camdne New Journal - Letters: Parents behaiviour is a real shock

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Camden New Journal - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published: 17 May 2007

Parents’ behaviour is the real shock

• I NOTE that a parent wrote this week upon receiving the ‘shock’ news she would not receive a parking permit next year (School run rules drive parents to distraction, May 10). It should hardly have come as a shock since the permits have been reduced by 20 per cent since 2004. Parents need to realise that driving children to school is simply not acceptable.
Moreover, why exactly is there a need for parking? Surely, in the rare case where there is no public transport, they can pull in with engine running, open the passenger door, and the children can be watched for the few seconds it takes to enter into the school gate: they can then pull away having caused minimal disruption.
I lived for six years immediately next door to New End School. I complained on numerous times about the parking habits of parents, and their abusive behaviour when politely asked to move their vehicle. I regret that the attitude most often displayed was one of “I have children and therefore it is my God-given right to park wherever I want regardless of the disruption to others”. The then Headmistress and Governors of the School were shockingly complacent when I made complaints and said in express terms – ‘this is not our problem’.
My problems were not illusory – on many occasions I was late for work because my car was blocked in by parents – and on two occasions I had to take a taxi from the High Street because my care was blocked in by parents who were rude and abusive when approached.
The reality is that most parents were there chatting and smoking cigarettes outside the school gate for up to half an hour after school had started. They may not have a job or anything to do until they cruise back in their 4x4s to collect their children at 3pm but residents do, and it is about time that parents showed them some respect.
BRYON BRITTON
Hampstead NW3

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, Camden New Journal, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@camdennewjournal.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Tuesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld. Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

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