Council applies brake for plans to combat dangerous driving around two schools
White Hart Lane, Collier Row. Photo: Google Maps Street View - Credit: Archant
Plans to roll out controversial Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) around two schools have hit a bump in the road.
Havering Council has confirmed a new consultation process will take place around Crownfield infant and junior schools in White Hart Lane, Collier Row.
It comes after numerous concerns were raised by parents of the schools and nearby residents who claimed they were not made aware of the plans.
Paul Kruzycki, a parent and governor at the junior school, believes the consultation approach by the council has been “ham-fisted” saying officers treated the two schools as “one entity”.
He claims a drop-in session which took place at the infant school in June was not known about by parents of the junior school.
Mr Kruzycki feels the latest move by the council vindicates the feeling within the area that people have not been consulted properly.
He said: “It is very helpful and useful to re-consult.
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“I think bringing in interested parties like the headteacher and the relevant resident associations will make a vast difference to the level of uptake and engagement.
“It’s important that everyone gets an equal say.”
A spokesman said council officers had consulted with parents and residents, while laminated notices were put up and information packs were hand delivered.
He added: “Consultation is at the heart of the way we are working to make parking and driving around our schools safer for our children.
“However, it is concerning that some residents were not aware of this.”
Wayne Stockwell, who lives in nearby Valiant Close, told the Recorder that no one in his road had received any correspondence from the council.
Last week, Cllr Roger Ramsey announced four schools in the borough were in favour of introducing PSPOs, meaning anti-social driving would become a criminal offence.
Once introduced, any drivers deemed to have performed dangerous manoeuvres or parked illegally would be handed a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of up to £100, which would have to be paid within 14 days.
An FPN differs from the usual Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) in that it is a criminal offence, not a civil one, so parents who fail to pay the fine could face prosecution.
But more information will be made available to parents and residents around the Collier Row schools in the new school year.
People can also still have their say at https://surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HaveringPrimarySchoolsPSPOPhase2
