School Street Zone

Kitsy12

Hi all, 

We are buying a house near a school (which we had no problem with, despite not having children, we would have a drive and it is a small school so shouldn't cause issues). We have just been told that the road is going to become a School Street Zone. 

How does a School Street work?

A School Street is a timed street closure during drop-off and pick-up times outside a school. Usually these last for 1-1.5hrs at the start and end of the school day, tailored to each school’s start and finish times.

The School Streets will operate Monday-Friday during term times.

Only people walking or cycling, and those with a specific vehicle exemption permit will be eligible to enter the zone. Anyone else driving into the zone during the stated times will receive a fine. You do not need to have an exemption permit to exit from the School Street.

If you were a prospective buyer (thinking of the future) would this put you off buying? We are wondering if it affects saleability. Obviously, we had accepted it was near a school but this feel particularly cumbersome for deliveries and visitors. Worth noting that it seems the one relevant to us would only be 30 mins twice a day rather than the 1-1.5 hours noted below, although assume the council could change this. 

user1977

Don't think I'd be too bothered - even if my commuting times coincided with school start/end, I'd still be able to exit. Are the "specific vehicle exemption permits" available for all residents?

Kitsy12

user1977 said:

Don't think I'd be too bothered - even if my commuting times coincided with school start/end, I'd still be able to exit. Are the "specific vehicle exemption permits" available for all residents?

Thank you - it seems you are allowed up to two resident's permits per house that will allow you to move freely. So it shouldn't affect us but more any visitors, deliveries, workmen etc. What we haven't quite worked out yet is if they arrive ahead of the time whether they can remain parked or if they have to move. I assume they can remain parked but need to check.  

Mahsroh

As above, the key phrase for me for me is "specific vehicle exemption permit"..... Check that residents of that street get a permit.... If so, it wouldn't bother me.

Only slight thing to bear in mind is how it might impact deliveries or tradesmen.... simple things like a furniture or electronic purchase delivery where they helpfully (sarcasm) give you a 12 hr slot... then rock up just at the time when the school is finishing for the day and can't deliver..... In the scheme of things I'd say that's fairly minor though. 

Kitsy12

Mahsroh said:

As above, the key phrase for me for me is "specific vehicle exemption permit"..... Check that residents of that street get a permit.... If so, it wouldn't bother me.

Only slight thing to bear in mind is how it might impact deliveries or tradesmen.... simple things like a furniture or electronic purchase delivery where they helpfully (sarcasm) give you a 12 hr slot... then rock up just at the time when the school is finishing for the day and can't deliver..... In the scheme of things I'd say that's fairly minor though. 

Thank you - as a resident it seems we are allowed two passes, so that should be fine. 

Like you said it's the deliveries etc- I can't work out if this is going to put prospective (future) buyers off, so wanted to canvas opinion a little. 

On the plus side- will be quieter at school pick up and drop off! 

Mahsroh

Kitsy12 said:

Mahsroh said:

As above, the key phrase for me for me is "specific vehicle exemption permit"..... Check that residents of that street get a permit.... If so, it wouldn't bother me.

Only slight thing to bear in mind is how it might impact deliveries or tradesmen.... simple things like a furniture or electronic purchase delivery where they helpfully (sarcasm) give you a 12 hr slot... then rock up just at the time when the school is finishing for the day and can't deliver..... In the scheme of things I'd say that's fairly minor though. 

Thank you - as a resident it seems we are allowed two passes, so that should be fine. 

Like you said it's the deliveries etc- I can't work out if this is going to put prospective (future) buyers off, so wanted to canvas opinion a little. 

On the plus side- will be quieter at school pick up and drop off! 

I don't think it would put me off personally. There is a primary school in our street, but currently no restrictions. If they brought this policy in next week though i'd just view it as a bit of a minor annoyance, but as you say, it also has benefits in that the street doesn't get full up of cars. 

I can only speak for myself though. 

theoretica

This particular version exempts liveried delivery vehicles (eg supermarket, royal mail), lets other delivery vehicles register and lets your register carers and on-off guests etc (though oddly says tradesmen should arrive before rather than being registered as guests...)  If your small print allows something similar it might help reduce worries?

https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20011/parking_transport_and_streets/2275/school_streets_-_your_questions_answered/3

Marvel1

If residents can have a specific vehicle exemption permit then it would not put me of buying, then again I avoid being near a school regardless.

Kitsy12

theoretica said:

This particular version exempts liveried delivery vehicles (eg supermarket, royal mail), lets other delivery vehicles register and lets your register carers and on-off guests etc (though oddly says tradesmen should arrive before rather than being registered as guests...)  If your small print allows something similar it might help reduce worries?

Thank you- something like this would definitely help. Sadly, I can't find anything comparative... yet!

user1977

If you're expecting a delivery or similar, just tell them the hours they need to work around. It's not all that unusual a restriction, and they'll be used to other restrictions on parking/loading etc.

canaldumidi

Surely it's better than the alternative: the street jam-packed with cars for an hour 2ce a day as parents drop off their kids?