Should roads right next to schools be closed at drop-off and pick-up time?

Polls

16th February 2017

Recently, a street in central London closed every weekday at school drop-off and pick-up time to protect schoolchildren – the school was trialling an initiative called Healthy School Streets, which aims to clear congestion, road dangers and pollution outside of schools. This story is the subject of this week’s First News front page so we’re really keen to hear what your all think about the idea! How would this affect your commute to and from school?

Should roads right next to schools be closed at drop-off and pick-up time?

76 Comments

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dolphin3 · 7 years ago

No because what if someone had a disability and had to get in a certain way in a certain place or if emergency vehicle needed to get through and this was there quickest route.....

first1234 · 7 years ago

I don't think that roads should be closed as many people drive past schools to get to their destinations. If a school is located on a main road then there would be a lot of inconvenience but if the roads aren't often busy then their is no reason to close the roads.

nickmoo · 7 years ago

Yes because little kids could just run out into the road and kill themselfe by accident so 100

eca · 7 years ago

Roads shouldn't be closed as people may need quick/ emergency access to somewhere and also there would be trouble parking for people who needed to drive because they couldn't park on the school road. Also people live on roads with schools on so how will they access their homes if the roads are closed?
But I agree people do need to be encouraged to walk to school and get fresh air.

1isme · 7 years ago

I have roadworks outside my classroom and I find it really hard to concentrate.

Imogenq · 7 years ago

If you live far away from your school how are you going to get to school.

mausi · 7 years ago

They shouldn't be closed because it would just cause problems somewhere elsewhere????????????????????????➿

Anchor1240 · 7 years ago

No as they may not be able to go another way or they could have children who could not walk. As well as that there could be grandparentsaor disabled people who will struggle getting to the school to pick their child up. I understand that there may be issues and reasons for why they close the roads but no it is not fair and makes parents lives very difficult

nature37 · 7 years ago

No! Think about the people who aren't as lucky to live near the school such as disabled children and staff although it might seem like a good idea but it really isn't. Some people might have to go to an emergency appointment near the area. Whoever started this should think about the traffic first. Their should be a person on duty to protect schoolchildren OR age restrictions to when you can walk by yourself! This was a dumb idea.

pudsyears · 7 years ago

I personally think ideally the school roads should already be closed. Children have been hit by cars outside my school. Anyway, people need to start walking and getting of there bums.

puppy20 · 7 years ago

No!So many people live around schools and won't be able to go to their work or school! Also, if you live far away you have no choice but to go with car! Even though I agree that it will prevent lots of injuries, it will also stop easy routes for people trying to get to work!

golf13 · 7 years ago

I think no because I don't think the drivers are doing anything wrong unless they drive dangerously. It's mostly the people crossing roads carelessly that are causing the danger. But, people do need to be encouraged to walk or cycle to school for fresh air and exercise. So I think roads should stay open next to schools, just drive safely!

Umbrella4 · 7 years ago

Yes they should. You don't want children getting run over or seriously injured, or some person playing on their phone. If there was an emergency there would probably be another route or they would easily be able to have gates that open in emergency or something. If there are houses nearby they can surely get a remote control or have a key to open them.

chloes · 7 years ago

No because my old primary school is on one of the busiest roads in our village, so closures would prevent commuters to get to work, and for emergency vehicles to get through. I think that there should be more zebra crossings instead, so that children can still walk to school safety.

perthgirl · 7 years ago

Yes because you could be injured by a car or the school bus

stopco2 · 7 years ago

The roads right next to schools should be closed at drop-off and pick-up time because the pollution is making my nose itching. Also, it is impossible to concentrate on running to school when there is so much traffic because I cannot breath deeply. I feel less energetic when I come home having walked by the busy road between my home and my school. Nobody would enjoy walking to school in these conditions and we should impose on drivers and people who can change law to walk along a busy road so that they think twice before taking their cars. They are ruining my future! I just don't understand this!

mrcocopops · 7 years ago

No I don't think that roads should be closed, because that means that children couldn't be picked up by car which can be bad because if they live far away they would had a long journey home. If roads had safe cycle routes and pedestrian crossings and pavements this system would not have to take place. But remember the biggest risk on the road is YOU! Everything you do on the road you are responsible for so be careful on the road and remember the road safety rules, and be sensible! If your unsure on the road safety rules ask a responsible adult that YOU trust!

girlywirly · 7 years ago

I think they should because it is literally chaos in the morning.

n1fflers · 7 years ago

I agree that busy roads outside schools can be inconvenient, but it could cause inconvenience for drivers on the way to, or on the way back from work. Also, what if an ambulance, or something like that needs to get past? Drivers should be warned that there are schoolchildren are crossing the road and that they should drive carefully, though.

liam_29b · 7 years ago

No, because what about the adults going to work people with disabilities

evadore · 7 years ago

I don't think closing roads near schools is that important. After all - we have to learn to cross the road safely at some point, right?

shpee · 7 years ago

If this happened I would have to go to my third choice school, lots of people would be late to work, and my current school would probably have 5 people going to it because everyone is too far away to walk, so no.

orangebob9 · 7 years ago

No because lots of people go to work in cars and they drive past a school.If the roads were shut they would have to go a new way which would take longer.

faith4623 · 7 years ago

In my opinion I don't think it's necessary for the roads to be closed down at drop off times and at pick up times because there might be people with their dogs and they would probably like to walk with it so i dont think the roads should be closed

wren · 7 years ago

That's really difficult. No because it could cause a lot of chaos and misunderstanding, it could also be very inconvenient of people who have to use that road to get to work, etc. But on the other hand, it is a welcome precaution for children's safety and will also encourage more children and their parents to walk to school. Which would mean they would get more exercise, but would have to get up earlier, as it takes longer. Then they would be tired and unable to focus. It truly is a difficult one!

amt202 · 7 years ago

I don't think they should do this; if someone lives far away, how would they get there? I think it makes them more healthy but it makes it harder to come to school.

happy4456 · 7 years ago

What happens to the people who need togged somewhere quickly, the will be extremely inconvenient! And parents or guardians will know the school well so they can find another route whereas some people don't!

banjoblaze · 7 years ago

I agree with dolphin3 (who said an emergency vehicle might need to get through). I said no because the ambulance, fire engine, coast guard or mountain rescue might not have time to patiently wait while a teacher moves a row of cones. So this could actually cause just as many deaths as there were before. Also, someone might be rushing their dying pet to the vets. My final point is that drivers might get frustrated and start to swear so the children pick up bad language and the school can be sued, especially if it's a primary.

EFC · 7 years ago

most people drive to pick up there children.

harryrocks · 7 years ago

I think no, because what if you were late for work because of a whole road being closed, or if you couldn't walk or something like that on that particular day?

Smile122 · 7 years ago

They defiantly should be closed because my old school was up a small lane and cars would drive up there and get stuck on the pavements due to people parking in order to walk up to school. When I walked up there, it was often very dangerous!!!!

hfrules · 7 years ago

No very inconvenient

ninjahari · 7 years ago

They shouldn't close roads next to schools because people can't drop them off quickly.

arian · 7 years ago

??????no

radishes10 · 7 years ago

so many people got hit by a car at the end of school,so definitely yes .

radishes10 · 7 years ago

??

lolyolo · 7 years ago

Yes because kids who walk to school could get bumped by a car because its really busy with all the people trying to get to work.

acegirl69 · 7 years ago

No because many schools are surrounded by busy roads.In addition people was be queing for ages as pick up time is during rush hour.

amelia.a · 7 years ago

NO!!

mjustice · 7 years ago

If kids keep getting hit by cars I might as well have roads closed

mathsisfun · 7 years ago

Yes, it is literally havoc in the morning but they should just encourage people who live close to walk to school as it is good exercise. It is a bad idea because of those who live far but personally I say yes.

TF11 · 7 years ago

Would be useful for my mum ;)

shysurf10 · 7 years ago

Cause congestion on other roads. I think the answer is people should walk to school if they can and then it wouldn't be such a big issue.

vvvv · 7 years ago

PEOPLE NEED TO START WALKING.

vvvv · 7 years ago

YES / YES YES

ballerina7 · 7 years ago

This was a hard decision to make as it really depends on where your school is , how close people live and whether the road is used much and whether people need it to get to important destinations. Layla :]

janatetteh · 7 years ago

I personally think ideally the school roads should already be closed. Children have been hit by cars outside my school. Anyway, people need to start walking and getting of there bums.

ktill183 · 7 years ago

duh yes we need school

ipadmini13 · 7 years ago

YES YES YES YES YES

blobfish · 7 years ago

No because I live diagonally opposite a school. How would we leave the house to get to school?! But yes because my mum has to keep complaining to the headteacher because parents park across our drive.

kawaii101 · 7 years ago

Just no. Plain no.

65horses · 7 years ago

Yes, it's safer

bethyboo8 · 7 years ago

yes because they are quite busy!!!

AlanaH10 · 7 years ago

WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE JOBS???

gaggy116 · 7 years ago

i voted yes but then i thought probably no. it would probably cause more annoyance and inconvenience than helpfulness, and lots of people get dropped off at school in a car

mathsisfun · 7 years ago

thumbs up- HELL YEAH!

rosie32 · 7 years ago

what if you live down that road ???

antrabbit · 7 years ago

There aren't many places to park outside our school, and I have to go in the car. If I go on bike it would take about an hour.

ninja- · 7 years ago

close the roads close the roads!

catonclan · 7 years ago

People who go to school in car might be late, that would bad and they might get into trouble that is a bad thing!

catonclan · 7 years ago

Also parent will not be able to go to work to get money for food.

catonclan · 7 years ago

So no!
nonononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononoono!

houss · 7 years ago

I have to drive by anot her school to get to go to my school and if they lose the road how can I get to my school

spikyriver · 7 years ago

If residents could be let through to their houses on the road, it would be fine outside my local school.

RockyTabbs · 7 years ago

Yes and no.

Yes:

It would stop people being run over.

No:

If there was an emergency vehicle then they might have to get past.

ezbez56 · 7 years ago

it would be safer but what about trafffic

simmie09 · 7 years ago

no because it could get distracting

isabelho · 7 years ago

I don't think roads should be closed because the road by my school is really bizzy and then the people that need to use that road need to go onto another road which takes 10 minutes!

bunny2008 · 7 years ago

No way!!!!!!!!!!????

flameemily · 7 years ago

Emergency vehicles would be allowed through, people who live on the road are still allowed through. That's why lots of road closed signs say access only. Just park as close to the school as possible and walk the rest. Lots of disabilities have nothing to do with how well people can walk and there would be specials ways for them to get in.

elliefn123 · 7 years ago

No because it would be really annoying for parents with cars !?

Sparkle09 · 7 years ago

I don't think so. If they want to stop pollution they should get people who are at reasonable walking/cycling distances to walk/cycle and people who can't to car share

wimpykid · 5 years ago

How do you get to school? Lots of children would be late. No way.

rayrayzee · 3 years ago

The road closures are just a way for the council to make more money off tax working citizens. The road closures will cause mayhem and traffic causing more pollution for the environment, the children walking to school will be in that traffic and pollution which will ultimately be way worse made by the traffic. The citizens vote no but the council are closing the roads anyway against the citizens requests, this is no democracy at all

humbugs · 3 years ago

Why would they need a sign when they could have a fence around the school to stops kids from running into the road and if someone is late for work, they will be in a rush so they can't just reroute the journey to somewhere they may not have been to and could take longer.

humbugs · 3 years ago

999 vehicles could come passing only to stop and turn around. It won't help them.