Latest news with #SchoolSafeHavenZones
BBC News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
28,000 penalties issued over school parking safety rules in Derby
Nearly 28,000 penalty charge notices (PCNs) have been issued to drivers for breaking rules on parking outside schools in Derby, it has been City Council has set up School Safe Haven Zones in 14 area across the city which drivers cannot enter during term obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), through a Freedom of Information request have shown the council generated £950,000 from the penalties between July 2023 and May bosses said the enforcement had made it safer for children outside the school gates and cut congestion and pollution. The authority said the aim of the road closures was to allow children to get to and leave school more safely without vehicles passing by. The streets covered by the haven zones included Redwood Road where 2,172 penalties were issued over a two-year were 6,142 were issued in Church Street, 4,063 in Thornhill Road and 2,265 in Bromley StreetA further 1,059 penalties were issued in Uplands Avenue, 2,001 in Vicarage Road and 6, who breach the rules are liable to pay a £70 penalty - reduced to £35 if paid within 14 LDRS said some residents have previously raised concerns that the zones move school parking problems to other areas. Taxi drivers also recently stated concerns that they were not able to pick up or drop off vulnerable customers at their homes because of the rules in place, according to the council said taxis were not exempt from the rules. It said zone times have been kept "as short as possible" during the start and end of the school day and "drivers or passengers arriving during the closure periods only have a short distance to walk if they park on the edge of the scheme". 'Encouraging results' Carmel Swan, Derby City Council cabinet Member for climate change, transport and sustainability, said: "School Safe Haven Zones aim to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and promote cleaner air by encouraging more families to walk, wheel and cycle to school. Each zone is a collaboration between the school, council, residents and businesses."The feedback from our current trials has been extremely positive, with communities reporting significant improvements in traffic levels outside schools and, most importantly, the safety of pupils and their families. "The results have been encouraging, with 88% of individuals who receive a warning notice not committing a second offence."
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Derby taxi drivers say they can't pick up customers because of school road closures
Taxi drivers in Derby claim they are unable to pick up and drop off customers at their homes due to timed road closures in the city and have called for the rules to be changed. Over the last few years, Derby City Council has implemented new School Safe Haven Zones (SSHZ) at a number of streets across the city. The aim of the zones is to stop motorists driving on a section of road so it is safer for children, parents and staff to get to school. More than a dozen of these zones are in place in Derby with road closure times enforced both in the morning and afternoon during school-run times. Each zone can differ but the timed restrictions can take place between 8.30am and 9.15am and 2.30pm to 3.30pm. READ MORE: Motorists faced 'long delays' on A38 in Derby near Markeaton Island READ MORE: Police put 48-hour dispersal order in place in Derby city centre The zones, which the council say have been a success, have been in place following complaints regarding dangerous parking outside a number of Derby schools. Motorists can get fined if caught driving into the zone within the time period as enforcement is carried out. But there are exceptions to the rule. The council says exemptions apply to emergency vehicles, residents living within the street zone, blue badge holders, carers for vulnerable residents and utility providers on emergency calls. But taxis are not included on the exemptions list. This, according to at least a couple of drivers, has become problematic. They claim taxi customers have to walk to or from the end of the zone within the timed restriction. Driver Lee Roach said: 'The schools are not the problem. The problem is these zones are on residential streets all over Derby. But in residential streets you still have to pick people up. 'There are disabled people who can't walk up the street. There are people who still need to get taxis in these zones. But we can't get to them.' Fellow driver Adnan Khan added: 'You have residents in these zones who are vulnerable and have disabilities. They have hospital and doctor appointments to get to. 'How do you explain to them that 'we can't get to you, can you walk to us'? If they are registered disabled they can't do that. You also have private hire who are contracted to safely drop off children at home.' Ateeq Naseem, from Albatross Cars, said his drivers are aware of the School Safe Haven Zones and comply with the rules. He said: 'The rules are there for a reason and that's for the safety of the public. These are there for the better of the community and for the environment.' Derby City Council was asked if taxis are exempt and can use the zones. It said zones had been 'kept short as possible' to minimise disruption and inconvenience to residents. A spokesperson for the authority said: 'There is not a general exemption for taxis to enter School Safe Haven Zones. The primary goal is to reduce motor vehicles and create a safer, healthier, and more pleasant environment for children, parents, and the wider community. 'Exemptions to the restrictions are kept at a minimum to achieve the full benefits of the zones. However, to minimise disruption and inconvenience to residents, zone times have been kept as short as possible during the start and end of the school day. "Additionally, the extents of all the School Safe Haven Zones have been kept as small as possible. This means that drivers or passengers arriving during the closure periods only have a short distance to walk if they park on the edge of the scheme.'
BBC News
26-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Council considers expansion of Derby school parking ban
Restrictions on motorists parking outside schools in Derby during peak times could be city council is consulting on a plan to add a new area to its School Safe Haven Zones, set up to make roads safer and encourage walking and cycling.A three-month consultation is under way on extending the restrictions to Sheridan Street in Sinfin, where Cottons Farm Primary Academy is Chambers, city councillor for the ward, said: "After spending every Thursday for six weeks at school arrival and home time, we were able to provide evidence and mitigating factors to submit Cottons Farm for the next trial." If approved, Sheridan Street will become a pedestrian and cycle zone only between 08:30 and 09:00 and 15:00 to 15: initiative is already in place in 14 roads with nearby council previously said its scheme had "led the way nationally, with other councils raising interest in adopting similar powers", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. The scheme was set up following concerns children and parents were unsafe on several operate outside of schools, using temporary road closures or restrictions to limit the use of cars for school drop-offs and pick-ups. Enforced by ANPR cameras, with fines of £70, the zones restrict vehicles during peak hours to improve air quality and safety for collected in Derby has shown "significant reductions" of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations, with reductions of up to 48.8% in some are allowed for residents, emergency services, and blue badge council says it will analyse feedback and determine next steps for the trial. If the trial is successful, consideration will then be given to making the scheme public consultation closes on Sunday 12 October.
