main content
‘Smart’ move to combat dangerous and prohibited parking
Parents who park on yellow zigzags outside schools risk receiving a parking ticket through the post. Vinci Park, the Council’s parking enforcement contractor, is using mobile cameras to improve road safety. The innovative scheme, which was trialled in May 2006, is designed to control parking around schools. The scheme uses a car equipped with the latest CCTV technology to record cars that are inconsiderately and dangerously parking in areas where parking is prohibited.
“These measures are an attempt to meet the expressed concerns of residents and teachers across the Borough about the unacceptable rise in thoughtless and selfish parking by a small minority of parents. It isn’t necessary or acceptable for anybody to have to drop their own children immediately outside the school gates thereby endangering the safety of others and it can’t be allowed to continue. It is my real hope that those in question heed this warning and park more thoughtfully in future. Doing so will improve the safety of everyone involved and will avoid incurring an unnecessary fine for themselves.” said Councillor Colin Smith, Executive Councillor for Environment and Leisure.
In order to help relieve traffic congestion and improve road safety, schools across the borough have established their own school travel plans. A travel plan helps to reduce single occupancy car journeys and promote the use of sustainable modes of transport such as walking, cycling, car sharing and public transport through fun educational measures. As part of a travel plan, some schools have established ‘walking buses’ which are designed to encourage children to walk to and from school in a safe environment. Many schools also participate in the WoW (Walk on Wednesday) scheme, designed to get pupils thinking about the way they travel to school.
The Smart car used in the scheme, is equipped with cameras to record dangerous and prohibited parking outside schools across the Borough. Motorists breaching parking regulations will be sent a Penalty Charge Notice through the post. The charge for this contravention is normally £100, or £50 if the Penalty Charge Notice is paid within 14 days.
CCTV technology is also being used to enforce parking restrictions throughout the Borough’s town centres. Residents are reminded to read the advice displayed on signs, lines and plates carefully when parking.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
For media enquiries, please contact Amy Bevins, Strategy Development Officer on 020 8313 4738 or email amy.bevins@bromley.gov.uk