At the last meeting of Bury’s Full Council before Christmas, I asked a formal written question about the levels of prosecutions for illegal parking outside Bury’s schools.

Could you Leader please provide details of the number of prosecutions made or penalties issued for illegal parking outside of schools so far this calendar year, and in each of the last three years?

It would seem that the number of prosecutions in Bury is FALLING:

2014 -2015 (to date) – 18 PCNs issued
2013 – 2014 – 28
2012 – 2013 – 32
2011 – 2012 – 34

To us this seems strange, as one of the main things that residents talk to us about is the problems with illegal and unsafe parking (by a small minority) outside of schools. In many areas this causes nuisance for residential neighbours, and can cause serious safety issues – including sometimes serious accidents.

In the past we’ve suggested to the Council that it uses it’s Camera Car (the one that you see policing bus lanes on the main roads) to tackle illegal parking outside schools. A few years ago the Council agreed to consider this, but nothing has happened.

Let us know what you think about this issue in our ‘Safe Around Schools’ consultation website.

Prestwich Lib Dem team campaigning for safety around our local schools