Drivers have been warned to watch out for new automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras that will go live outside two Wokingham schools next week.
Wokingham Borough Council has been enforcing the School Keep Clear markings since 2017, mainly with officers on the ground issuing Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) to vehicles who stop in these restricted areas. When officers are patrolling in the area, it said an immediate reduction in people parking in the keep clear areas was seen.
In the trial scheme which is aimed at improving road safety, the new ANPR cameras will monitor the School Keep Clear markings daily and a PCN will be issued to offending vehicles.
Wokingham Borough Council said that with up to 60 schools in the borough, it is not feasible to be at each school at drop-off and pick-up times.
A trial will launch at two selected schools, The Holt on Holt Lane, Wokingham and Loddon Primary on Hillside Road and Silverdale Road, Earley. If the trial is successful, the council will look to roll-out ANPR to other schools in the borough.
School Keep Clear markings are in place to help keep children safe when travelling to and from school. It is essential that drivers do not stop in these areas as doing so can prevent a child from being able to see to cross the road safely and prevent them being seen by road users.
In a statement the Council said people are more likely to follow the rules where enforcement is in place.
“ANPR is less labour intensive than officers patrolling each area, and this frees the officers to focus on areas that can only be enforced by patrols, such as double yellow lines.”
The cameras will go live on September 11 and there will be a one week period when warnings rather than PCNs will be issued, for camera enforcement only.
From September 18, full enforcement will be in place and PCNs will be issued to the registered keeper of the vehicle.
Following a six month review, cameras may be rolled out to other schools across the borough.
Cllr Paul Fishwick, executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said: “Road safety is a high priority for us and we particularly want to protect our most vulnerable road users, such as children.
“This enforcement is not new. We have been issuing PCNs to those who stop on the School Keep Clear markings for many years. We know that people stick to the rules more when our officers are there, so the installation of ANPR cameras will mean that the area is monitored at all times to act as a deterrent.
“Our hope is that this will lead to 100% compliance with the restrictions and make the areas much safer for our youngest residents.”
All parents at The Holt and Loddon Primary will receive a letter at the beginning of term informing them of the updates.
