Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras that were installed outside two Wokingham schools in September have resulted in 250 fines being issued.
The trial was initiated to Wokingham Borough Council improve road safety by capturing vehicles that encroach into ‘keep clear’ restricted areas.
The council had been enforcing the areas since 2017, mainly with officers on the ground issuing penalty charges to vehicles who stop in the restricted areas.
The trial is still operating at The Holt in Wokingham, and at Loddon Primary in Earley.
If the six-month trial is deemed successful, the council will look to roll-out ANPR enforcement cameras to other schools in the borough.
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 officers to focus on areas that can only be enforced by patrols, such as double yellow lines.
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 penalty charge notices 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.”
A spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council told Wokingham Today: “It’s still early days, but the team is evaluating the scheme and more updates will be available in coming months.”
