Thousands of Brits face ‘driving ban’ which could see them issued £50 fines every day – are you at risk?
THOUSANDS of drivers are facing being slapped with daily £50 fines amid a new “driving ban”.
The move has been made after locals complained of quiet residential streets becoming overwhelmed with cars at peak times.
New restrictions have been brought into force to reduce congestion during the school run.
A complete driving ban has been implemented at pick-up and drop-off hours.
This will take the form of legally-enforceable temporary road closures, with no cars allowed into the controlled roads at those times.
Anyone found to be violating the ban can see it enforced through a £50 fine for each offence.
That could, theoretically, amount to a bill of £250 a week for serial rule-breakers.
Restricted zones are now in force around four schools in Coventry, with police monitoring the areas during the regulated periods.
The new scheme will go through a trial period of 18 months before the council decides whether or not to make it permanent.
Locals living near the selected schools have largely come out in support of the ban.
One told BBC CWR: “You come back from shopping, you can’t get parked.
“You have to park somewhere else without blocking someone else in.”
Another claimed that they had approached parents clogging up the nearby streets but that they were “not readily sorry for what they have done.”
However, there is a set of exemptions to the road closures.
Residents’ permit holders, emergency services , maintenance vehicles and school buses will all be allowed to cross into the zones freely.
The ban will also not apply to bicycles and other non-motorised vehicles.
Council officials claim that the rules will encourage better use of public transport, as well as cycling or walking to school, while cutting congestion and pollution.
They add that it will improve safety for children as they enter and exit school grounds.
Josh Seddon, Coventry City Council’s head of transport and infrastructure, said: “The outcome we want is more people cycling or walking with their kids to school rather than driving them in.”
Full list of the schools affected and the restricted times
All restrictions apply on weekdays only
- Southfields Primary – no access to East Street between Paynes Lane and Napier Street and South Street between East Street and Read Street from 8.15am to 9.15am and 3.15 pm to 3.45pm
- Stanton Bridge Primary – no access to Oliver Street between Freeman Street and the cul de sac end from 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm
- Cardinal Wiseman RC – no access to Potters Green Road between Woodway Lane and Frankwell Drive from 8.30am to 9.30am and 2.45pm to 3.45pm
- Ravensdale Primary – no access to Ravensdale Road from 8.15am to 9.15am and 3pm to 4pm