Derby man fined on own street under school-run traffic rules

A man who has been fined three times for breaking road regulations on the street where he lives has said the rules have pushed traffic issues to nearby streets.

Adrian Collis lives on Church Street in Littleover, Derby, which has a School Safe Haven Zone that imposes traffic restrictions during drop-off and pick-up times.

He admitted traffic conditions had improved on the street but felt the council was using the regulations as a way to make money and called for a one-way system to ease congestion at peak times.

Derby City Council said the zones make it safer for pupils to get to and from school, reduce air pollution and that feedback from trials had been “extremely positive”.

The council can issue fines of £70 to those breaking restrictions. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a Freedom of Information request showed nearly 28,000 fines had been issued to motorists within the past two years, totalling more than £200,000.

Mr Collis, who has lived on Church Street for 15 years, said the rules cause issues on the road.

“Everyone tries to get out of the safe haven by 08:30 BST. But because so many people are parking at the top of the zone to avoid it, it all gets blocked off.”

Mr Collis said he had been fined because his permit, allowing him access, had expired.

“I’ve been fined a few times. Sometimes my permit has run out but that’s my fault. The cynic in me thinks [the council] have done this to make money.”

Another resident said the rules were causing heavy traffic away from the zone.

But Irna Boicuk backed the scheme: “I welcome it. People were driving like crazy – how they drive is not safe.

“I’m not surprised about the fines – people just don’t follow the rules these days.”

Councillor Carmel Swan said: “School Safe Haven Zones aim to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and promote cleaner air by encouraging more families to walk, wheel and cycle to school.

“Each zone is a collaboration between the school, council, residents and businesses.

“The feedback from our current trials has been extremely positive, with communities reporting significant improvements in traffic levels outside schools and, most importantly, the safety of pupils and their families.”