School Streets fines are 'unfair', say motorists

The School Streets scheme was introduced by Medway Council in March 2024 to make journeys safer and reduce pollution

Motorists are complaining that fines for driving down some roads in Medway's School Streets scheme are unfair.

Medway Council introduced temporary vehicle restrictions outside 11 schools during drop-off and pick-up times to make journeys safer and healthier, issuing 24,669 penalty charge notices (PCNs) from March 2024 to October 2025.

Stephen Jackson, from Ramsgate, is one of the motorists appealing a PCN as he said that Richmond Road in Gillingham was "severely damaged" and he missed the sign while "navigating" it.

However, Councillor Alex Paterson told BBC Radio Kent he did not agree that two signs "were not sufficient warning".

Steven Jackson from Ramsgate was fined while driving along Richmond Road in Gillingham

"If the restriction kicks in at 2.45pm, if it's 2.46pm you're going to get a fine," he added.

Mr Jackson said because he did not live in the area he had not received a letter warning residents the restrictions were coming into force.

Mr Paterson said the scheme had gone through an "extensive prior consultation period and informal consultation".

He explained that parents, residents and other stakeholders had an opportunity to have a say on the plan, which then had a formal notice period and a six-month grace period where people were "given notice but not a PCN".

"I think that's plenty of time to get used to this," he added.

Councillor Alex Paterson said "people have had at least a year" to get used to restrictions in the School Street Scheme

Opinion among people taking their children to Burnt Oak Primary School on Richmond Road was divided.

"It's ridiculous and disgusting," said Bev Lee, who lives nearby.

"Our lollipop lady was taken away when the scheme began and she was a good point of contact for the children.

"It doesn't make a difference whether the scheme is there or not, you still get people flying through."

Creswell Brooks has been fined three times for driving during restricted times but was still in favour of Safer Streets, saying it was "my fault and I learnt it the hard way".

"I've got kids in the school and the road is safer when they walk home so I'm fine with it," he added.

Local mum Ashleigh Heathfield said the roads are "definitely quieter" but the pathways are "a lot busier".

"We're constantly trying to move out of the way of everyone. The paths just aren't wide enough to fit everyone coming down," she said.

A further four locations around schools in Medway are being considered for inclusion in the Safer Streets scheme.