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Camden News - by SIMON WROE
Published: 19 March 2009
 

Maggie Milner reads the latest on the buggy debate.
Dear mums... Woman who sparked buggy debate speaks out once more

SHE is the woman who has divided opinion across Camden’s bus network, heralded as a straight-talking heroine by some passengers and a “mum basher” by others.
Maggie Milner, 65, told this week how she inadvertently set alight the big buggy debate when her letter appeared in the New Journal four weeks ago after she watched parents force supersized pushchairs on to crowded buses.
An office worker from Archway who describes herself as “of the Mick Jagger generation”, Ms Milner told of the area-specific problem of “Ham-Cam Tractors”  –  the use of bigger than normal buggies in Hampstead and Camden Town. She said it was time to lay down some rules of the road for their “emotionally incontinent” owners.
Ms Milner said: “If you transported animals like the C11 bus you’d be had up by the animal rights people.
“I’ve fractured my wrist falling over on the bus, but I don’t expect special service.”
Ms Milner added: “It’s the precious parents, the types who drive 4x4s with one child in them on the school run. Those people don’t live in the real world, they are emotionally incontinent. The bus driver is responsible for the safety of his passengers, whether you like it or not. If they tell you to get off the bus, you have to get off the bus. If he says pushchairs have to be folded, they have to be folded.
“If mothers want a great big buggy to walk down the road and impress the neighbours that’s fine, but if you want to travel on the bus, buy one that folds up.”
Her latest contribution comes a week after the New Journal revealed the daily struggle parents say they endure getting buggies onto buses.
Some readers who wrote in this week appeared to be siding with Ms Milner.
Sandra Stevenson, a mother of three from Camden Town, wrote: “It’s almost as if these women are averse to holding their own babies.”
But Sue de Nim, from Rochester Road, said: “Oh you childfree buggy-on-a-bus moaners, get a bicycle, then you don’t have to deal with it. Mammas, have no fear, get a bike, stick your child on a seat behind yours and pedal away. My son loves it.”

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Your comments:

I TOTALLY agree with Maggie Milner, and think only folded up buggies should be allowed
In passing - it's not just the size of the buggie that offends - it's the arrogant attitude of so many of these women.
W. Griffiths

I regularly travel with a friend who has a guide dog and needs to sit in the wheelchair space to keep her dog safe from being trodden on in the aisle. No parent with a buggy has ever offered to fold it to allow her to stay on the bus. We often have to get off and wait for another bus. Buggies fold, guide dogs don't!
Transport for London has been informed of these problems and does not give a damn.These loyal, hard-working dogs deserve better.
Sharon Smith
 
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