Stockport council has paid £50,000 for a car loaded with CCTV equipment to help catch parents who park on zig-zag lines outside schools.
The move forms part of the authority’s mission to crack down on ‘irresponsible people who put children’s lives at risk’.
The council’s aim is to keep the space outside school gates free from parked vehicles so pupils can be seen more easily when crossing the road.
Anyone caught breaking the rules will be slapped with a £60 fine when the new restrictions come into force.
Guidelines state that if the fine is paid within 14 days, a 50 percent discount would apply, but if it’s not settled within 28 days it will rise to £90.
Enforcement officers will patrol two schools per day, with 20 schools across the borough highlighted as a priority.
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Meanwhile, the patrol car should act as a ‘strong deterrent’ to those who park irresponsibly and put the safety of others at risk, say council chiefs.
Coun Dean Fitzpatrick, the portfolio holder for education, said there is nothing more important than the safety of young people.
“We know that the majority of parents do the right thing when it comes to driving responsibly around schools.
“However, there are some who don’t.
“These irresponsible people are the ones that put children’s lives at risk by parking dangerously.
“This scheme will go some way to stamp out their rogue behaviour.
“I’m absolutely committed to making our schools as safe as they can be for all Stockport pupils.”
However, the vehicle is also geared-up to snap drivers who ‘clog up’ the town’s bus lanes.
Council bosses say that drivers think they are unlikely to be prosecuted for driving in bus lanes and that a ‘culture of disregard’ has evolved.
Coun Sheila Bailey, the portfolio holder for communities and housing, said the aim is to improve the behaviour of drivers.
“Those who stick to the rules will have nothing to worry about,” she said.
“These measures will help us to tackle problem parkers – outside schools – and elsewhere across the borough.”
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