Views on 13 year old granddaughter travelling on train alone from Yorkshire to Cornwall !!!e

Sorry, Leeds is obviously further than Sheffield - don't know where Sheffield came from! Sorry.

Personally I think she will be safe bug very bored.
Glad you are less worried.

Sheffield to Penzance is 6.40 - 7 hours if you choose one of the trains with no changes.
Obviously it's a long journey even so.

Parents' prerogative

As for tracking her via cell - parents' prerogative too

That's a long journey for a thirteen year old alone. Partly it depends on how confident and sensible she is. I did Torquay to Bristol alone when I was 12, and Torquay to Edinburgh with a school friend when I was 14. but the world is a different place now. It's a tricky decision.

My niece travelled last summer from Edinburgh to Penzance to meet us for a holiday there. She is 20 . However the train broke down at Exeter and she had to wait for the train from London to arrive to continue her journey . She arrived at Penzance at 11.30 pm ! Even though she is an adult and had been at Edinburgh uni for 3 years she was still very stressed about the whole thing. Unfortunately it isn’t always straightforward as it should be . The train going back also had engine problems . I remember being put on a train at Kings Cross on my own and changing at Grantham to go onto Lincoln when I was 12 . I think my mum informed the guard though ?‍♀️.

Glad you feel happier now Serendipity22.

Just saying, Plymouth is actually in Devon. Our biggest town in the county by far.

Kate1949

I would be worried sick but as grandparents we have no say in such matters.

Same here Kate!
Mattsmum I don’t think it would be any safer for a boy of that age than a girl.

I thank you for all your replies very much appreciated.... when you put a worry, problem out there and get feedback, its brilliant to see others point of view, in all honesty, i don't feel as concerned as I was when my daughter asked me my views.

The phone tracking comment made me feel at ease.

It would be Leeds - Plymouth.

Yes she will be met at the station.

THANK YOU

I would be like you GLORIANNY and say a definite NO....its seems far to long a journey for a girl of your GD age to take...Like most of our fellow GN buddies have said its up to her parents... We just have to keep quiet but won't stop you from worrying..

It's a tricky one, isn't it? Lots of pupils from my DGD's school make daily train/tube journeys (through dodgy areas) into London and back once they turn 11 years old.
I guess the scary thing with the OP's granddaughter is that she will be a long way from either home or destination should a problem arise.
Is the girl resourceful? Is she used to travelling alone at times?

British Transport Police have advice about this. One thing is making sure their number is in the child's phone. www.btp.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/btp/railway-crime/young-people-travelling-alone/
I think some children would be fine but others wouldn't.

This question is one of those "boiling the kettle" moments. At the time, your heart says "never". But it has to happen sometime.

From 13, I used to take the train from my school in Cheshire down to London and out to the Airport to fly home. My House Mistress even advised me to wear my uniform as people would "keep an eye on me". Not something I think we would suggest these days

I’m surprised that so many say no. if she can go on a bus or train to school alone then I don’t see a problem. it’s just a longer more boring journey. My youngest DS went on trains alone to central London twice a week from the age of 11.

She id very young to do this journey , 10 hours is very long time . If it were my GD I would be worried. Is a massive undertaking even is it is a trouble free journey. She is probably not aware of how she will feel on such a long journey alone. Her parents know her best and it is their decision. However my gut instinct is to say no !

My DGD2 went on a train from Frome to Exeter last summer and changed trains there and went to Penzance where she was met by her friends mother. She was 14 at the time.

I would be concerned but her parents know her best. The trouble with trains is that you can never totally rely on them to get anywhere on time. What if there’s a cancellation or the train is halted then a bus replacement.
My ex husband asked for our son, then 14, to travel from Wiltshire to North London. Changes. Were London Paddington, on the tube to Kings Cross the overground for two stops. I said no, please meet him at Paddington which he did. Unbeknown to me the return journey he just put him on the train in North London and he made his way to Wiltshire. My. Son did well and grew in confidence the more he did the journey, although it terrified me each time. He had a mobile which was good and at that time was over 6 foot so looked older. He now has travelled the world. For my daughter I don’t think I would have been happy at that age. There’s a difference between boys and girls and how safe they maybe. It shouldn’t be that way but there is. Untimely does your GD feel happy doing it? Maybe offer to go with her and travel back straight away. It’s a long journey if she’s not done it before.

I think if it’s straight through and she’s met at the other end she ll be fine but maybe bored stiff
She ll be safer just sitting on a train than wandering round the city with school friends
Nowadays there’s no closed carriages so she ll be in sight of everybody so not really anything could happen to her on the train
If she’s confident and sensible she ll be fine

Ahhhh never thought of the app on her phone... good one.

THANK YOU X

Like Grammaretto I am all for children learning to be independent but this would be a no no from me. Thirteen year olds have varying degrees of maturity but I think this is a step too far. I am also taking into account the unrest on railway services at the moment and the possibility of delays.

I would be worried sick but as grandparents we have no say in such matters.

True times have changed for the worse but what can we do other than cage our DGC.
There is a direct line from York to Truro and technology devices can keep track of her.
Her parents think she is capable and they should know her capabilities.

The train is direct without changes from Sheffield to Penzance. It takes about 10 hours so it is a very slow journey.

We have a similar dilemma. DGD wants, and is dearly wanted, to help look after her small cousins in Scotland. She would need to change trains once. Her parents are unhappy about it. She is 15.
DD did that same journey aged 12 and managed though not without problems because of a delayed train in winter. Luckily the staff spotted her, put her in 1st class and phoned me from the train to explain about the delay.

You want to help them to be independent but of course we don't want them to be frightened.

NO !

Callistemon21

welbeck

the parents know her best.
it's their call.

I agree.

The parents can put an app on her phone to track where she is.

Why is she making this journey by herself? Does she have to cross London? That could be the most worrying part.

Locator on WhatsApp will do that

What time and what day of the week is another consideration.