Parents face charges for dropping-off children

6:35am Thursday 24th April 2008

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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.

“Some have three or four kids dropping off at different schools. It’s not feasible to not use a car.”

Simon Burman

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.

"The whole thing is ridiculous."

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."

Schools affected

• Bushy Park Pre School, Church Grove, Hampton Wick
  
• Broomfield House School, Broomfield Road, Kew
  
• Hampton Wick Infants School, Normansfield Avenue NB St John the Baptist CE Junior School, around 100 yards away, is not on the list
  
• Kings House School, Kings Road, Richmond
  
• Kings Road Nursery, Kings Road, Richmond
  
• Maria Grey Nursery School, Friars Stile Road, Richmond
  
• St. Catherine's School, Cross Deep, Twickenham NB St James Independent School for Senior Boys, exactly opposite, is not on the list
  
• St. Mary's CE School, Amyand Park Road and Richmond Road, Twickenham NB Orleans Park School, next to the junior department, is not on the list
  
• Teddies Nursery, March Road, Twickenham
  
• The Preschool Centre, Station Road, Hampton Wick
  
• The Vineyard Primary School, Friars Stile Road, Richmond
  
• Unicorn School, Kew Road, Kew
  
• Windham Nursery School, Windham Road, Richmond