Newcastle’s Labour Council is taking action to improve safety outside Our Lady and St Anne’s Catholic Primary School in Elswick by introducing tougher enforcement against dangerous parking near the school gates.
From April 2024, fixed cameras will be installed to monitor existing School Keep Clear restrictions, helping to tackle motorists who ignore the yellow zig zag lines and put children and families at risk.
The decision follows concerns raised by the school, parents, residents and local councillors about repeated incidents of vehicles stopping in restricted areas during busy drop-off and pick-up times.
Keeping school entrances clear is essential to allowing children to cross safely and reducing congestion and pollution around the school gates.
The new measures form part of Labour’s commitment to creating safer, cleaner streets across Newcastle, alongside other initiatives such as School Streets schemes that encourage walking, scooting and cycling to school.
Councillor Marion Williams, Cabinet Member for a Connected, Clean City at Newcastle City Council, said:
> “Every child should be able to get to school safely, and parents should feel confident that the roads outside schools are being properly managed.
“We have listened to concerns from schools and communities and are taking action where dangerous parking continues to be a problem.
“These cameras will help us enforce existing restrictions and make school areas safer for children, families and residents.”
The cameras will operate only at key times when children are arriving and leaving school. Drivers who ignore the restrictions may receive a Penalty Charge Notice.
The Labour Council is continuing to invest in practical measures that improve safety and make local neighbourhoods better places to live.