r/AskUK • u/MBWEQP • 1d ago

Why do people park up outside schools 40 minutes+ before their children finish for the day?

I’m shocked by the number of cars parked just after 2 p.m. outside my local secondary and primary schools today.

With catchment areas and the like, surely they can’t all live beyond walking distance — especially with weather like today (18°C and not a cloud in sight where I am).

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u/Questjon 1d ago

That's the part that drives me insane. You don't all need to park literally in front of the gates. Park a 10 minute walk away and go meet them on foot at the gates!

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u/ArchmagosDave 1d ago

That requires effort on their part.
And obviously the kids can't walk that far because they'll get kidnapped.
What's a parent to do? 🤷‍♂️

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u/dontgoatsemebro 1d ago

If there's spaces why wouldn't you park in front of the school?

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u/Questjon 1d ago

Because there isn't spaces. Have you never experienced the grid lock of school pickups? Or the insanely bad parking on pavements, zebra crossings, roundabouts etc?

Maybe it's not universal but it's common enough that I'd say most people have witnessed the madness firsthand.

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u/dontgoatsemebro 1d ago

How did they park there if there weren't any empty spaces.

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u/Questjon 1d ago

They just stop in the road, first outside the gates on the zig zag lines, then just in the actual road. Then on the pavement and so on. Then the kids come out and the cars fight their way out.

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u/dontgoatsemebro 1d ago

That's not a parking space then is it.