‘Safe havens’ to be piloted at Cheshire schools

Camera-enforced Safe Haven Outside Schools are to be piloted by Cheshire East.

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras will be installed to help enforce signed stopping restrictions.

Under the Safe Haven Outside Schools pilot, drivers contravening parking bans will face £35 fixed penalty fines – which rise to £70 if not paid within 14 days.

The pilot project is being run in collaboration with Derby City Council, which operates the scheme within its own borough and other areas.

Four schools will pilot scheme, which aims to boost pupil safety and encourage more active travel. The schools are: Ivy Bank Primary and Marlborough Primary in Macclesfield, and Manor Park and St Vincent’s primaries in Knutsford.

If the scheme is a success it could be rolled out across the borough.

Cllr Mark Goldsmith, chair of the highways and transport committee, said: “This is an important trial scheme that seeks to improve safety outside schools – particularly at the beginning and end of the school day, which are busy and congested times.

“Parking issues around school start and finishing times are a long-standing concern for this council, with typical enforcement measures sometimes proving to be only mildly effective and with fleeting impact on inconsiderate parking.

“We need to encourage more people to walk and cycle to school or park their vehicles and drop off pupils further away from schools to improve safety for all students, parents and residents in the area.

“If this pilot project proves a success, we may look to expand the number of schools taking part across the borough.

“This innovative camera technology is designed to promote a safer environment around the school gates by reducing congestion, which in turn contributes towards improved air quality. Local residents should benefit from improvements in driver behaviour and we really hope it will encourage motorists to reconsider the need to drive to school.”