Derby man fined three times for breaking road rules - on his own street
A Derby man has been fined three times for breaking road rules on his own street – and believes they are aimed at making money. However, Adrian Collis said traffic problems were much worse on Church Street in Littleover before Derby City Council took action.
The street is one of several across Derby to have a School Safe Haven Zone. The council-led zones aim to make it safer for children to get to and leave school. This is achieved by stopping motorists using the road at school-run times both in the morning and afternoon.
Anyone caught using the roads during the restricted times can be fined up to £70. But exemptions are allowed for certain drivers, including those who live within the zone.
- Man arrested after 'concern for safety' incident closed city road for hours
- Man charged with murder after Lloyd's Bank stabbing has case adjourned
Join us on WhatsApp to get the latest news straight to your phone
A Freedom of Information request showed nearly 28,000 fines had been issued to Derby motorists caught wrongly entering the zones at school-run times within the last two years.
More than 6,000 fines had been issued on Church Street where St Peter’s Junior School is located. Calculations show the council has made more than £200,000 from the fines generated from this street alone.
Mr Collis, who has lived there for 15 years, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the rules cause mayhem on the road.
He said: “Everyone tries to get out of the safe haven by 8.30am (when it starts). But because so many people are parking at the top of the zone to avoid it, it all gets blocked off.
“You see all the cars blocked at 8.27am and they are all papping each other.”
Mr Collis revealed he had been fined three times by the council even though he is a resident on the street. He claimed this was because his permit, allowing him access, had expired.
“Before the scheme started, I could not even get my car out of my garage and driveway because everyone just parked there,” he added. “It does work but the council could have done a one-way system. But it does stop parents dropping off their kids.
“I’ve been fined a few times. Sometimes my permit has run out but that’s my fault. The cynic in me thinks they have done this to make money. £200,000 on this road – wow.”
Mr Collis claimed parents would use nearby pub The White Swan on Shepherd Street as a car park but that has now settled down. Another resident living close to Church Street said the rules were causing heavy traffic away from the zone.
But Church Street is not the worst in Derby for fines issued. No 1 on the list is Reginald Street where more than 6,700 fines have been handed out, earning Derby City Council around £230,000.
Nearby resident Irna Boicuk backed the scheme, describing the previous parking situation as “mayhem”. She said: “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. They think they can do what they want.”
Read more - Major police presence in town following stabbing
The city council says the zones are making children safer and improving the environment.
Councillor Carmel Swan, Derby City Council cabinet member for climate change, transport and sustainability, 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.”
We send out the biggest stories in an email every day. Sign up for the main Derbyshire Live newsletter here.