Now it’s been revealed that more than 33,500 motorists have been penalised since the scheme was first introduced in March 2024 – totalling £1,017,188 in payments
A council has revealed a scheme that penalises drivers during ‘school gate’ times is to be expanded – after it boosted its coffers by more than £1 million.
Medway Council’s School Streets initiative prohibits motorists from using roads outside 11 schools between 8:15am and 9am and 2:45pm and 3:45pm. Residents living near affected schools have accused the council of “money-making” and fumed that the restrictions have simply pushed traffic to other nearby roads.
Now it’s been revealed that more than 33,500 motorists have been penalised since the scheme was first introduced in March 2024 – totalling £1,017,188 in payments. And the council said it is expanding the area to cover three more schools from next month.
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Cllr Alex Paterson, of Medway Council, said: “Our award-winning School Streets initiative has already transformed journeys to and from school for thousands of children in Medway. We recently reported on the first full year of monitoring their impact, and the results were compelling: a fall in school-run car use, an increase in pedestrian journeys and a reduction in traffic-related pollutants being breathed in by children and their carers.
“In short, they are doing exactly what they were supposed to do. The latest schemes include a school I walked my own children to for nearly a decade. Having experienced first-hand the danger and pollution posed by unnecessary traffic congestion at the school gate, I am delighted to be able to deliver these improvements for the parents and carers walking their children to school today.
“Placed in the wider context of a 40 per cent year-on-year reduction in child road casualties in Medway, it is clear that schemes like these, alongside our wider road safety initiatives, are an important tool to help us deliver safer, healthier streets for our children.”
But many locals are of the belief that the council care less about making roads safer and more about raking in money from fines.
Charmaine Gordon moved to Gillingham from Croydon in southeast London last year, and says similar restrictions outside schools were enforced. But, speaking last November, the mum-of-eight said the schemes there didn’t lead to the “dodgy parking” they have on roads near Burnt Oak School.
“I can understand it, because there were cars speeding down and it was dangerous for children,” Ms Gordon said.
“But at the same time, it’s a nuisance. It’s just to make money for the council.
“They’re trying to make money because they are losing money in a lot of ways.”
Ms Gordon added that little attention was paid to the genuine excuses from drivers who might not have known about the restrictions. She said: “If it’s an elderly person, they should get their fine lifted, I was fined in Croydon for going a tiny bit down the prohibited road, then coming out when I realised the restrictions.
“When people shoot through, they should be fined. The council just see it as an opportunity to make money. It’s all a scheme to make money, but they like to make it seem like they’re helping us.”
Dayna Rowe, a mum-of-two who lives on an adjacent road to Burnt Oak School, said previously she was forced to pay a fine after moving in May last year and not knowing about the restrictions.
She said: “It was my fault, but it’s a very small sign and a lot of people are caught by them. I don’t use that road anymore. People used it as a cut-through and the restrictions have pushed them onto this road now. It’s a nightmare. I can’t even get out of my own driveway sometimes.
“These things could cause accidents from people backed up, and I think the speed bumps do a better job of slowing drivers down. I think the restrictions are more of a money-making thing from the council. And you do wonder where the money is going, because the roads are still in a disastrous state.”
Mum-of-two Demi Hunt said last year that the restrictions and lack of non-resident parking make it nearly impossible to find a space. She said: “This is the only road that has an hour of free parking, so there’s always a fight to get a spot. They did have a lollipop lady who was there for years, but they really need some sort of parents’ car park.”
The two new School Street schemes will cover Crest Infant School, Delce Academy and Horsted Primary School in Medway, with eight roads seeing temporary restrictions introduced during School Street operating times.
For the first six months of operation, a warning letter will be issued for first-time offences rather than a PCN.
