School gates CCTV plan for county

Schools in South Holland will not be included in a pilot scheme to introduce CCTV cameras outside their gates to improve road safety.
Eight schools in other areas of Lincolnshire, including Bourne, Boston, Grantham, Sleaford and Lincoln, will see the mobile enforcement cameras set up to help enforce parking restrictions.
It is hoped the scheme would act as a deterrent to inconsiderate and dangerous parking outside school gates – a major problem outside many schools which can put children’s safety at risk.
The pilot scheme is being considered by Lincolnshire County Council and could take place for six months from next January.
The cost of the mobile CCTV equipment is expected to be around £33,500 and the cost of implementing the scheme at the eight schools is expected to be around £35,500 – taking the total to around £69,000.
The council’s highways and transport scrutiny committee was due to consider the scheme yesterday (Wednesday) and their comments passed to the executive director for environment and economy before a decision is made.
A report to the committee read: “The enforcement of the school ‘zig-zags’ would help to deter drivers from parking in an area that jeopardises the safety of children and school crossing patrol personnel.
“The mobile CCTV system could also be used to enforce other keep clear markings and pedestrian crossings.
“The use of a mobile CCTV enforcement vehicle would enhance the safety of children and council employees during the opening and closing hours of schools, assist in the improvement of traffic flows and help to reduce highway congestion.
“The CCTV vehicle could also help to improve safety at pedestrian crossings and other keep clear areas.”
The report suggests the mobile cameras would be superior to traditional methods of parking enforcement, such as an officer using a handheld computer and a camera, as a CCTV system helps to ensure the evidence gathered is sufficiently robust to pursue enforcement.
It highlights how the use of cars to take pupils to schools has risen since the 1980s, leading to the perception that the heavy traffic flow is “an accident waiting to happen”.
It can also be the cause of much frustration for residents near the school, which can lead to complaints.
However, the actual number of accidents outside the school gates are quite small.
Figures from Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership shows that in the five-year period to February 28, 2015, Lincolnshire had two incidents that resulted in serious injury to children in road traffic accidents close to school premises at drop off and pick up times.
Schools selected for the pilot scheme WILL be encouraged to engage with pupils and parents to highlight the dangers of inconsiderate parking.
If successful the scheme could be rolled out to other schools across the county.