Camera enforcement of School Streets - Derby City Council
Published 19 November 2024
Applies to England
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Background
Derby City Council has developed a British Parking Award-winning School Safe Haven Zone (SSHZ) project, which has been rolled out in phases with an education, engage, enforce approach at its heart.
Derby’s School Streets, funded by Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund 2 (ATF2), have been delivered to enhance and build on the success of the SSHZ programme. Recognising the importance of engaging with and securing the support of schools and residents, Derby chose locations where a one-day vehicle closure for Clean Air Day had already been well received.
What they did
The first zone was implemented in November 2021 and made an instant positive impact. It was strongly supported by the school, councillors, and residents. SSHZs have since been implemented at 12 locations, with a final location scheduled for implementation in 2024.
The localities of these have been a mix of terraced streets and more suburban areas, where properties have off street parking. Six of these SSHZs have now been made permanent with support of the community. In addition, and building on their success, a number of schools have been trialling one day closures in anticipation of further funding being made available.
The availability of ATF2 revenue funding was essential to the success of the SSHZs, because it allowed the council to deliver education and engagement activities to support enforcement activities with providing inspiration and motivation to make more positive active travel choices. This included complementary cycle activities, confidence building and roadshows, delivered by Cycle Derby.
Upon implementation of the schemes, enforcement was not immediately carried out, to give drivers time to become aware of the new signs. It quickly became apparent from officer visits and feedback from the public, that drivers were contravening the restrictions.
The council was a trailblazer for taking on moving traffic enforcement powers, therefore they could install enforcement cameras, as well as putting up additional advance signing to reinforce the message to drivers.
Results / what happens next
Enforcement has seen a hugely positive effect on driver behaviour. Each vehicle receives a warning notice for the first contravention, and this has led to 89% of drivers changing what they do and not contravening for a second time. As a result, the areas outside of schools are now seen as much more pleasant places to walk, scoot and cycle to and from, because of the reduction in vehicular traffic.
The council intends to direct revenue generated from penalty charge notices issued in SSHZs to continue to provide Cycle Derby training and activities, so they can keep the positive momentum in growing the use of active travel for the school journey.