A man who has been fined three times for breaking parking rules on the road he lives on believes they are aimed at making money for the council.
Church Street in Littleover, Derby, where Adrian Collis lives, has a School Safe Haven Zone which has severe traffic restrictions during peak times of drop-off and pick-up.
However, there are exemptions for residents living within the zone.
According to a Freedom of Information Request, nearly 28,000 fines had been issued to Derby motorists caught entering the zones during the restricted times in the last two years.
More than 6,000 of these fines were on Church Street, meaning the council has raked in £200,000 from fines in this street alone.
Mr Collis, who has lived on the street for 15 years, told the BBC: “Everyone tries to get out of the Safe Haven by 8.30am, but because so many people are parking at the top of the zone to avoid it, it all gets blocked off.”
More than 6,000 fines have been issued on a single street in the past two years (file image)
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He added that by 8.27am, “you see all the cars blocked… and they are all papping each other”.
Mr Collins said he was fined because his permit had run out, which he admitted was his fault, but added: “The cynic in me thinks [the council] have done this to make money.”
He also said that although the rules had reduced the traffic problems on this particular street, it had only pushed the chaos elsewhere.
Another resident who lives close to Church Street agreed, saying that the restrictions have caused heavy traffic away from the zone.
MORE PARKING CHAOS:
The restrictions mean anyone caught using the roads during these times could face a fine of up to £70 (file image)
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However, other residents disagree.
Irna Boicuk described the previous traffic as “mayhem” and 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.”
Despite the fines costing £200,000, Church Street has not seen the most fines issued in Derby.
Reginald Street has seen more than 6,700 fines issued which have in turn collected approximately £230,000 for Derby City Council.
In response to Mr Collis’s complaints, the council said the Safe Haven Zones are not only making the roads safer for children, but are also reducing pollution.
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, more importantly, the safety of pupils and their families.”