Illegal parking clampdown outside schools in Swansea

More than 500 motorists have been issued with parking fines after parking on zig-zags outside schools in Swansea.

The cars were caught out by Swansea Council’s parking enforcement vehicle which patrols schools across the city and ensures restricted areas outside school gates are kept clear when children are walking to and from their school.

The camera enforcement van was launched by the council at the beginning of the year and targets cars that are illegally parked either on school zig zags, pedestrian crossing, bus stops or loading only bays.

Since January 2015, a total of 503 penalty charge notices have been issued to cars outside school gate. 1084 PCNs were issued to motorist parked on pedestrian crossings and 6455 PCNs have been issued for cars parked in bus stops.

Schools and transport operators have backed the clampdown on illegal parking highlighting the affects it can have on buses trying to drop passengers off and young children walking to school.

Phil Williams, Headteacher at Pontybrenin Primary School, said: “I’m sure parents understand the need to keep the roads clear outside school gates, especially when they are bringing their children to school.  The zig zags are there for a reason – which is to help prevent cars parking on them. I fully support any actions taken to help achieve this.”

David Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation, said: “The camera enforcement van is having a really positive impact in local communities especially near schools where motorists continue to park on zig zags. We all have a responsibility to make school entrances as safe as possible by keeping them clear if we are collecting children from school.

“Public transport is also benefiting from the enforcement with our continued efforts to keep bus stops clear so they can pick up and drop off bus users without any problems.

“Our message is simple, park legally and safely and you will not get a ticket.”

Justin Davies, Managing Director, First Cymru, said: “We welcome the effort the Council is making to clamp down on those selfish motorists who park in bus stops.”