OVER 100 penalty charge notices were issued as part of a campaign to tackle drivers parking carelessly or illegally outside schools across Leicester.
Between August and December 2019, Leicester City Council visited schools throughout the city with both a specially-equipped CCTV car and a mobile camera to catch motorists parking inconsiderately during the busy morning and afternoon school run times.
In all 109 motorists were handed penalty charge notices for offences including parking on double yellow lines or keep clear zig-zag markings.
Officers visited 11 schools during the autumn 2019 term, including Spinney Hill Primary School, Coleman Primary, Inglehurst School, Oakland School, Dovelands Schools, Braunstone Frith Junior School, Taylor Road Primary School, Crown Hills Community College, Rolleston Primary School, Linden Primary and Mayflower Primary School.
A further round of school visits using the CCTV car and camera are planned for the spring term 2020, including other schools where concerns over parking have been raised.
Leicester City Council is working with Nottingham City Council on the enforcement, sharing both the camera vehicle and the backroom functions needed to process and issue fines.
Leicester assistant city mayor for neighbourhoods, Cllr Kirk Master, said: “Inconsiderate, careless and dangerous parking outside schools is an issue we regularly get asked to tackle by concerned residents.
“While most motorists do park safely and sensibly, there are those who think they can park on zig-zag yellow lines or double yellow lines which have been put there for the safety of all pedestrians, including their own children.
“By continuing to make school visits and enforcing the parking restrictions we want to get the message across that parking without any regard for others, especially in areas where there are lots of children and vehicles, just isn’t acceptable.”
The fines for parking contraventions are £70, which are reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. Income from parking fines is re-invested in road safety schemes across the city.
Outside Mayflower Primary School in Evington, 17 fines were issued on one morning in December 2019 as part of the enforcement work.
Mayflower head teacher Luke Whitney added: “All schools work very hard to keep children safe. Inconsiderate parking can pose a real risk to all members of our community, and enforcement work can help to get that message across.
“Positive education, including walking to school, cycling, park-and-stride, and a walking bus will help to reduce this risk to our children, and also improve their health, safety and wellbeing.”
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