‘Safe haven’ parking pilot scheme starts at four Cheshire East schools

Four Cheshire East schools are at the forefront of a ‘safe haven’ pilot scheme that aims to boost pupil safety and encourage more active travel.

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras will be installed over the next few days to help enforce signed no stopping restrictions outside Ivy Bank Primary and Marlborough Primary in Macclesfield, and Manor Park and St Vincent’s primaries in Knutsford. 

Under the Safe Haven Outside Schools pilot, the cameras will monitor each school’s ‘keep clear’ markings. If the scheme proves a success, it could be rolled out across the borough.

Councillor Mark Goldsmith, chair of Cheshire East Council’s highways and transport committee, said:

“Previous measures to stop dangerous parking have only had a temporary impact, so I am really pleased this scheme will operate throughout the whole school year.

"With pupils starting back after the summer holiday, the new term is the ideal time to get drivers into a routine of safe parking. The remote monitoring will help them keep those good habits going too. This should provide a permanent solution to the safety problems that dangerous parking at school gates causes.

"If this pilot scheme proves a success, we may expand the number of schools taking part across the borough.”

Councillor Ben Wye, Cheshire East Council’s Active Travel member champion, said:

“This is a very timely pilot for another reason in that yesterday was the close of our eight-week Active Travel consultation – we will now be reviewing the 749 responses. 

“This particular scheme is a further demonstration of the council’s dedication to encouraging more people to walk and cycle to school or park their vehicles and drop off pupils further away from schools to improve safety for all students, parents and residents in the area.”

The pilot project is being run in collaboration with Derby City Council, which operates the scheme within its own borough and other areas. The innovative camera technology being used in this pilot scheme is designed to promote a safer environment around the school gates by reducing congestion, which in turn contributes towards improved air quality. Drivers contravening these restricted areas will face a £35 penalty charge notice – which would rise to £70 if not paid within 14 days.

The locations of the new ANPR  cameras and parking restrictions are:

• Ivy Bank Primary School – Valley Road, Macclesfield; 
• Manor Park Primary School – Manor Park North, Knutsford; 
• St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School – Manor Park South, Knutsford; and
• Marlborough Primary School – Tytherington Drive, Tytherington 

Further information about the scheme can be found at the pilot’s dedicated web page: 

Safe Haven Pilot