A London borough has introduced Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to combat dangerous driving and parking during the school run. Havering‘s is the first trial of its kind to use Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs, the Conservative Government’s replacement for ASBOs) making anti-social driving a criminal offence in areas around schools. To enforce the new scheme, CCTV-based traffic enforcement and management has been installed in an initial contract awarded to the Romford-based installation company OpenView Security Solutions.
Osman Dervish, cabinet member for community safety at the London Borough of Havering, said: “Poor, irresponsible behaviour from a minority of parents created an unsafe environment for the majority of parents and their children. Hearts and minds campaigns, 1200 parking tickets, excellent school travel planning and letters from the children themselves pleading for a change in behaviour have all failed to create a safe environment in and around our schools.”
The trial scheme has resulted in a 90 per cent reduction in traffic in around schools during drop off and pick up times. Consultation with parents and local residents, before invoking the PSPO, showed 77pc or higher approval ratings for each of the first four schools initially chosen to pilot the scheme.
The PSPOs operate from 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm Monday to Friday during term time and allow the council to treat dangerous parking as a criminal offence where a child’s life has been thought to have been endangered.
The CCTV-based enforcement is being provided by Videalert using CEaaS (Civil Enforcement as a Service), a fully managed service that uses the company’s DfT Manufacturer Certified hosted platform.
For the trial 33 cameras have been installed by OpenView on streets around the first four schools to monitor all areas and not just the keep clears. Videalert was the preferred supplier considered to be able to meet the requirements for capturing offending vehicles within the restricted PSPO zones. Videalert says that its product allows multiple cameras to use a single RDS ‘processor up a pole’ unit. This the product firm says reduces costs and the amount of street furniture that to install and support. Video evidence packs are automatically compiled.
Lead Cabinet Member for the PSPO scheme, Jason Frost, added: “I would be delighted if no FPNs are issued and no-one ends up in court as that would mean that drivers are being responsible and that the journeys for children to and from these schools are safer. It is important for parents and residents to be aware that any fines will go to the Crown and not Havering Council as they would be criminal rather than civil prosecutions.”
And Tim Daniels, Sales and Marketing Director of Videalert, said: “It is too soon to say whether schemes of this kind will be widely adopted but this unique initiative is receiving widespread attention from local authorities across the country which will be closely monitoring the results. However, such a scheme clearly demonstrates the sophistication and flexibility of our solution for addressing complex traffic and parking scenarios whilst minimising on-street infrastructure and operational costs.”
