Pilot scheme that would fine drivers for flouting rules outside school is shelved - before it started

Bridgnorth was one of six areas chosen to the trial the new scheme that planned to use ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras to identify drivers breaching traffic rules outside one of the local schools.

The pilot was arranged after Shropshire Council was granted enforcement powers by the Department for Transport to issue fines for drivers for a range of 'moving traffic offences' in May last year.

Offences include incorrectly driving into a bus lane, stopping in a yellow box junction, illegal U-turns and going the wrong way in a one-way street.

Six schools were set to take part in the trial; Gobowen Primary School; Market Drayton Junior School; Woodside Primary School, Oswestry; Mereside Primary School, Shrewsbury; Whitchurch Junior School and Castlefields Primary School in Bridgnorth.

However, following complaints from residents in the the Conduit Lane area of Bridgnorth where the scheme was set to be trialled, Shropshire Council has now abandoned the pilot.

Residents had argued that the council had not consulted them before installing the posts for new automatic number plate cameras for a School Street in their area, a claim denied by the council. There were also concerns that care workers 'could be banned from making visits' at certain times and residents receiving £70 fines.

The pilots, which had been paid for by the Department for Transport grant funding, were originally planned to start in February 2024 but were pushed back until April to allow time for the ANPR cameras used to enforce the scheme and signs to be installed.

Following the pilots, the council hoped to roll School Streets out to other schools across the county.

However, Shropshire Council has now confirmed that it has shelved plans for the pilot in Bridgnorth, although the trials in the other five locations are set to begin this month.

In recent discussions with council officers, concerns were raised about potential displaced traffic onto Highlands Road which could lead to congestion, increased speed, and hazardous conditions for pedestrians and cyclists in another location.

Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said: “We have been working closely with Castlefields Primary, the Trust and local residents for over a year to introduce a School Street this spring – and this work included road safety assessments to ensure that the scheme would improve safety for road users and increase the sustainable travel options used for journeys to and from the school.

"However, it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to continue designing and implementing school safety measures given the concerns raised by the school so we’ve agreed to postpone plans for a School Street at Castlefields."

However,she said that the council was keen to introduce a Safer School Street in Bridgnorth as part of the pilot, and they were planning to implement one at another school in the town.

Rebecca Lee, Headteacher of Castlefields Primary School, said: "We have recently seen unsafe driver behaviour on Highlands Road at school pick up and drop off times and worry that risks will increase with the displaced traffic post implementation of the scheme, should it go ahead. Of course, the safeguarding of children and families is at the forefront of our thinking."

As result of these concerns, Shropshire Council has decided to pause the implementation of the proposed school street in Castlefields, Bridgnorth and instead implement a scheme at another school in the town. of Castlefields School in Bridgnorth, added that they were

Mayor of Bridgnorth and Shropshire Councillor for Bridgnorth West and Tasley, Rachel Connolly, said she was pleased by the decision to scrap the scheme around Castlefields.

She said: “As one of the Shropshire Councillors for this area I am pleased that the local residents, whose knowledge and experience of the area is extensive, have been listened to.

“Road safety for school children is so important now that many parents may need to drive to work, but these proposals were unfortunately not ideal for the location and added significant potential displacement congestion onto Highlands Road.”

Signs put in place near Castlefields school to inform drivers of the new restrictions are already in place, but will now be removed.