Parking enforcement officers have been asked to regularly visit areas around schools as part of efforts to tackle illegal and inconsiderate parking across Buckinghamshire.
It comes after councillors and people living near schools across the county repeatedly raised concerns about poor and dangerous parking by parents during drop-off and collection times.
Cllr Steve Bowles, cabinet member for communities, said the new outsourced enforcement arrangements were already helping to make streets safer and more accessible.
He said: “The new outsourcing of enforcement is going really, really well.
“We have a full complement now with civil enforcement officers and they are addressing, as you quite rightly say, the illegal and inconsiderate parking that we do see, and the camera car is a great help in that.
“So all in all, with the increase in civil enforcement officers and the camera car, it’s leading to safer, more accessible streets for our residents, businesses and visitors.”
Cllr Bowles said he had specifically asked enforcement officers to make regular visits to areas around schools.
He said: “I’ve asked them to regularly visit around schools because that is a real, real issue, as I’m sure we’re all aware in the chamber.
“But all in all, the scheme is really helping keep our roads and communities safe.”
His comments came after Cllr Alex Collingwood, Conservative councillor for Marlow, said he had noticed a “marked increase” in enforcement officers operating in the town.
He asked when the new CCTV camera car might be deployed in Marlow and said the increased enforcement presence was already changing the behaviour of motorists who ignored parking restrictions.
Cllr Collingwood said: “I noticed in the report that the new contract for parking enforcers has gone live.
“Certainly, in terms of Marlow, I’ve seen a marked increase in the number of enforcement officers there.
“I’ve seen the new CCTV camera car and [I’m] just curious when that might be deployed in Marlow.”
He invited Cllr Bowles to accompany enforcement officers in the town to see how the service was affecting drivers who parked illegally.
Cllr Bowles said he intended to accompany enforcement officers regularly after giving the new service a few months to settle in.
He will also have access to a dashboard showing officers’ activity and the locations they have visited.
Councillors will be able to report parking hotspots to him so they can be brought to the attention of enforcement teams.
Headteachers across High Wycombe have previously pleaded with parents to consider where they park when collecting their children from school, with some warning that inconsiderate parking was creating safety risks.
Share