BRISTOL City Council is planning to install cameras to catch drivers who flout a ban on traffic outside two Fishponds schools.
The council has launched a consultation on proposals to put up automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at the entrance to four School Street schemes in the city, including at Chester Park Junior School and Minerva Primary Academy.
Fixed cameras would enforce an existing ban on most traffic entering the road outside the schools during drop-off and pick-up times.
They would back up school staff and volunteers who currently have to operate barriers every day, often facing abuse from drivers.
The School Streets scheme was introduced to improve road safety outside school gates, increase the number of children walking, cycling or using other ‘active’ ways of getting to school, and cut congestion and pollution from use of private cars on the school run.
It works by banning most vehicles from the roads directly outside schools, for about 45 minutes at the start and end of the school day.
Residents living inside the zone and carers – with permits – Blue Badge holders accessing schools and emergency service vehicles are exempt.
The scheme was first introduced in 2020. Abingdon Road outside Chester Park Junior School and The Greenway outside Minerva Primary Academy were added to the scheme in 2022.
Four roads outside Glenfrome Primary School in Eastville became School Streets in September, and three roads outside May Park Primary School were added on October 5.
£100 fine
The council says the scheme “can be enforced” by the police, with drivers facing a £100 fixed penalty notice for ignoring restrictions.
But at present the schools themselves have to staff moveable street barriers, to allow eligible vehicles in and keep other drivers out.
A council spokesperson said: “This can be challenging, with some reporting abuse from drivers, and it can take a lot of resource to manage. The use of ANPR cameras mitigates both.”
The council has chosen four sites for the camera trial, based on factors including accident figures, traffic levels, road layout and the number of problems reported to the police or council.
Incidents have included verbal abuse, vehicles being driven at the moveable barriers and drivers trying to talk their way in by pretending to have have lost permits.
‘Threats and abusive language’ from drivers
Chester Park head teacher Mike McNama said the school would welcome an ANPR camera, and encouraged people to fill in the council survey on the trial, which is open until October 20.
He said that the School Streets scheme had encouraged more ‘active travel’ to and from school but did have “challenges”.
Mr McNama said: “The overwhelming majority of drivers are respectful and adhere to the rules surrounding school streets, and by doing this we all work together to keep our children and the wider community safe.
“However, the disregard shown by some drivers means that we have seen cars reversing down one-way streets, dangerous driving through the barrier, stopping in the road to unload children and driving on pavements where children are walking.”
A map of the Chester Park School Streets Zone shows where the ANPR camera would be put up on Abingdon Road
Mr McNama said school caretaker Mike Bennett “does a great job” at the barrier but staffing it keeps him away from his on-site work.
He added: “There have been a number of occasions where there have been threats and abusive language directed to Mike or the Chester Park team.
“Poor driving behaviours, such as dangerous parking or dangerous driving, are noted but are not able to be actioned by the school.”
He said having a camera would mean incidents could be “addressed consistently”.
Cameras would be installed at the junction of Abingdon Road and Acton Road outside Chester Park, at the junction of Hillfields Avenue and the Greenway outside Minerva as well as outside St Werburgh’s and Whitehall primary schools.
‘No decisions have been made’
Council leader Tony Dyer said the aim of the consultation is to explore whether ANPR could make School Street schemes more effective.
He said: “No decisions have been made, and we want to hear from everyone affected before we consider the next steps.
“I would encourage those residents, parents, carers and school communities who are directly affected by these proposals to have their say.”
Map shows where the ANPR camera would be placed to enforce the Minerva School Streets zone on The Greenway in Hillfields
A consultation survey and more details of the trial can be found on the council’s website.
People who are not online can write to School Streets Camera Enforcement Trial, Transport Engagement, PO BOX 3399, 100 Temple Street, Bristol BS1 9NE.
If the ANPR trial goes ahead, it would run for about 18 months before a decision on whether to make it permanent is made: cameras could be in place by the end of December.