Wolverhampton City Council has issued a firm warning to parents regarding illegal parking during school drop-off and pick-up times, emphasizing that such behavior will no longer be tolerated.
To enhance safety for thousands of schoolchildren, the council has intensified traffic enforcement efforts around schools across the city. Officers now regularly patrol dozens of locations on foot, focusing on those parking unlawfully on pavements, double yellow lines, and in designated ‘keep clear’ zones.
In addition to increased foot patrols, the council is deploying a second Mobile Enforcement Vehicle (MEV) equipped with advanced technology. The MEV utilizes GPS to accurately identify school keep clear zones and bus stops, capturing video evidence of parking violations. This technology-assisted approach ensures enforcement is precise and consistent.
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Since the first MEV upgrade in September last year, nearly 500 fines have been issued for illegal parking around schools and bus stops. Offenders receive penalty charge notices by post, accompanied by photographic evidence, within 28 days of the violation.
Councillor Qaiser Azeem, Wolverhampton’s cabinet member for city transport, stressed the council’s commitment to pupil safety: “Keeping children safe on their journey to and from school is one of our top priorities. Illegal parking outside schools puts lives at risk and causes unnecessary congestion. By introducing another hi-tech enforcement vehicle, we’re sending a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated."
Members of the public are encouraged to report problem parking in school zones and at bus stops through the council’s website to support ongoing enforcement efforts.