Cars and other vehicles driving through roads designated as school streets zones will be fined using cameras for the first time, the council has announced.
Brighton and Hove City Council launched the scheme in 2020, and roads around 15 schools are now closed to most motor traffic at school run times.
The schemes rely on volunteers to staff temporary barriers – but following a consultation last autumn, the council will now install cameras at three schools from September.
This means any non-exempt vehicles driving into roads around Queen’s Park, Hangleton and West Hove and Hove Junior Primary Schools will be fined.
For the first six months, drivers will be sent a warning notice for a first-time drive-through. If they venture into the zone again, they’ll be given a penalty charge notice (PCN).
The charge for receiving a PCN will be £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21days.
The council says it will be working with schools and sending information to local residents in time for the pilot to begin.
Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure, said: “The city’s school streets have been great for keeping children, families and the school community safe and it’s been great to see the positive feedback we’ve received and increases in active travel as a result.
“We are particularly thankful for the tremendous support from volunteers, school staff and the wider community for making School Streets safer for all at the start and end of the school day.
“The new powers from the Department for Transport means we’ll be able to properly enforce the restrictions and free up staff and volunteers, which I know will be welcomed by schools.”
The city will soon be consulting on adding further schools to the programme.
The following vehicles are exempt from the restrictions but owners will need to apply for them be added to an exemption list via the council website.
- driving a vehicle registered to an address within the restricted area (including those of businesses and residents)
- a Blue Badge Holder who needs to access a property within the street
- a professional carer or a carer for vulnerable residents who live on the street
- an emergency services vehicle on an emergency call
- a utility provider on an emergency call
- an employee, or working with, a business or service operating within the street
- driving a contracted school transport vehicle
The roads including in the pilot scheme are:
- Hove Junior and West Hove Infants: School Road and Marmion Road
- Queen’s Park Primary: Freshfield Place
- Hangleton Primary: Dale View/Northease Drive
School streets are in force term time Monday to Friday from 8.15am to 9.15am and 2.45pm to 3.45pm.
