Green light for zigzag cameras at schools

DRIVERS caught parking on zigzags outside schools will face paying £70 after plans to bring in two snooping cameras were approved.

Two cameras, costing £54,000, will be used from the autumn term for 30 minutes before a school day starts and for the 30 minutes at the end.

Anyone caught by the cameras will be served a penalty notice of £70 – reduced to £35 if paid in 14 days.

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Yesterday a last-minute bid to give people a warning the first time they are caught was rejected by Councillor Jim Fleming, cabinet member for traffic and transportation.

Cllr Lee Hunt, a Lib Dem, said: ‘I think people need to be cautioned first time.’

He added: ‘We don’t want to be seen as a council that comes down on the people that we represent.’

But Cllr Fleming said: ‘The education route has been attempted, the engagement route has been attempted, we don’t have the resources to put an enforcement officer at every school.

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‘This isn’t about making money, it really isn’t, but it’s about taking a stand and saying we’re not accepting this any more.’

He said unlike a grace period when bus lane cameras were put in, children’s safety meant a strong message had to be given.

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