Bristol City Council has announced plans to tackle the issue of parents parking illegally outside schools during drop-off and pick-up times, a topic that led to mixed feeling for many of our Bristol Live readers. The council’s proposal involves the installation of cameras equipped with automatic number plate recognition technology to monitor and catch offenders.
The challenge lies in enforcing parking regulations at the city’s 160 schools, particularly during the brief drop-off and pick-up periods. A report presented to the transport and connectivity policy committee highlighted the difficulty of enforcement due to factors such as the inability of traffic wardens to cover all 160 schools and the short duration of drop-off and pick-up times.
The council is considering installing cameras across Bristol to catch parents who park illegally while dropping off their children at school. Councillors will convene on Thursday, December 5, to decide whether to initiate a trial of CCTV that can automatically read drivers’ number plates.
The report stated: “Increasing the number of civil enforcement officers is not a cost-effective solution, so officers have been exploring other technical opportunities. Camera enforcement is heavily restricted by legislation, but parking on ‘school keep clear’ markings, providing they are supported by a traffic regulation order, is one of the few [interventions] which can be enforced using camera technology.
“We already have a camera car that is used to patrol schools but there is potential to deploy fixed cameras on a rotational basis to target particularly problematic areas.”
Bristol Live readers were quick to take to the comments section to have their say on the issue. Fuocoardente simply says: “Bristol voted Green, Bristol gets Green.” While TalbotHill adds: “Don’t bother putting up cameras, it would be simpler to move the schools to Barton Hill where they have brand new cameras waiting!”
Fluffball thinks: “Definitely needed outside Bristol Grammar School in University Road. It is a complete no-go area when the school turns out! Full of oversized SUVs fighting for spaces, even the coaches can’t get through.” LucyClarkKiwi is all for it: “Definitely need these outside Patchway School!”
Spankthemonkey writes: “The 4×4 crew that have driven a whole 50 metres down the road ain’t gonna like this.” Chopsee believes: “There’s no limit on money when it comes to money of motorists Sort the pot holes out.”
ReesIsToast feels: “Always plenty of cash for this but nothing for kids with learning difficulties.” HotDawg says: “Spend £ to catch the wannabe Banksy’s who have ruined the city with their graffiti. Our council is hopeless.”
Delboy51 adds: “It’s about time to, in my day you never see any cars parked near the school everybody walked even when the snow was deep.” Dbanderson says: “Good. They can start in Hanham. Where the locals ignore the road markings, park on pavements, have no idea how big their cars are and drive in the middle of the road.
Grockel1 mentions: “I think there should be cameras catching the youth who abandon the hire scooters/bikes all over the place. These are a worse hazard than cars parking on the side of the road.” Ezergood states: “Cars are parked all over the place. Pavements, footpaths, and cycle paths, for example. If motorists could find a way through the perimeter barriers they would park on airport runways too.”
The varied views echo the community’s worries about traffic and safety near Bristol schools. The possible use of camera technology is intended to boost adherence to parking rules and improve road safety for pupils and walkers.
Would you be happy to see parking cameras outside schools? Let us know HERE in the comments below.