‘Children’s safety has got to come first!’ Schools with worst parking could have CCTV cameras in place within months after councillors back plans
Councillors have backed plans for CCTV cameras outside schools with the worst parking, saying ‘children’s safety has got to come first’.
Ten schools with the highest number of parking fines have been identified.
The cameras would allow operators to monitor in real time the ‘keep clear’ zones with zigzag markings, where traffic is banned from stopping, waiting or parking.
Lincolnshire County Council says the scheme could be expanded to more schools in future if funding permits.
The first cameras are expected to be installed around April if final approval is given by Coun Richard Davies, the portfolio holder for Highways and Transport.
Ten schools have been identified as candidates, where a total of 312 parking fines were issued between February 20 and October 8, 2024. These are: The William Alvey C of E School – Sleaford (61), Boston West Academy – Boston (46), Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School – Lincoln (42), St Thomas’ Ce Primary School – Boston (33), St Giles Academy – Lincoln (29), Tower Road Academy – Boston (26), Southview Primary School – Crowland (20), The Priory Witham Academy – Lincoln (20), The Queen Elizabeth – Gainsborough (18), Manor Leas Primary School – Lincoln (17).
The council’s Highways and Transport committee on Monday (December 9) unanimously backed the plans, with members saying parking outside schools is one of the biggest sources of complaints.
Coun Paula Ashleigh-Morris (Con) said: “There are three or four schools with massive parking problems in my Boston ward.
“One of them is thankfully on this list, and we are looking into traffic calming measures outside the remaining ones. It’s a problem that enrages residents.”
Coun Kevin Clarke (Lab) said: “I fully support this – the safety of children has got to come first.
“The council has done a lot of things to try and improve this over the years. When wardens are there, cars park properly, but, when they’re not, they have free reign again.
“Cameras should lead to ongoing improvement.”
The sites have been chosen based on how many parking tickets have been given out at them.
However, Coun Robert Gibson (Ind) said he wanted to see “a good spread across the county” for future cameras, beyond the city and large towns.
