New cameras for car ban outside Oxford and Didcot schools

Liberal Democrat county councillor Andrew Gant returned at today's (September 5) cabinet member for transport management meeting after a period of annual leave and approved the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras for five schools in Oxford and Didcot.

Schools affected are the St Mary and St John Church of England Primary School, Sandhills Community Primary School, Tyndale Community (Primary) School, New Hinksey Church of England Primary School in the Oxford area and Manor Primary School in Didcot.

Manor Primary School in Didcot. (Image: Google Maps)

READ MORE: Oxford bus services cancelled due to 'noise vibrations'

'School Streets' are intended to create a safer environment by reducing the level of motor vehicle traffic around the school gate and encouraging walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting.

A penalty charge notice can be issued if a vehicle enters the school street zone during operational times.

At the moment the rules are enforced by school volunteers but use of cameras was deemed a suitable replacement by many of those in attendance at today's transport management meeting.

Mr Gant said: "What we’re doing is making people’s lives better and children safer.

"And that’s just such a thrill - being in the position of being able to deliver that."

Andrew Gant and council officer Jack Ahier in the meeting. (Image: OCC.)

Labour county councillor for the Isis division in Oxford, Brad Baines, said: "The school streets scheme at New Hinksey has been warmly welcomed by parents at the school."

Mr Baines also referenced the "ongoing difficulty of a volunteer-led trial" but said school streets "provide a calm and safe environment" and the county council "must be bolder in reaching more schools in Oxford if they are to maximise their impact".

Chair of governors at the Sandhills School, Zaki Moosa, suggested his school "strongly supports" the initiative.

Brad Baines in the meeting. (Image: OCC.)

Consultation responses to the proposal suggested a higher number of people supported than objected.

But one objector from east Oxford said: "While I support moves to reduce school traffic and encourage children to get to school by more environmentally friendly means, I believe the current plans place too many restrictions on the essentials of local residents’ daily life."

Another said: "I'm opposing to the installation of ANPR cameras. It's a waste of money. People just pick up their children later and drop them off earlier.

Andrew Gant in the cabinet member for transport management meeting. (Image: Oxfordshire County Council.)

"Just spend the money on a school bus instead. This would be so much better, offering better service to the community and giving someone a job."

Interested Oxford resident Danny Yee also spoke out at the meeting.

He said: "We’re not moving nearly fast enough.

Danny Yee at the meeting. (Image: OCC.)

"I hope that eventually most schools in Oxfordshire have them and they all seem completely normal."

Mr Gant pointed out the council was in the process of "commissioning a review of all schools across the county".

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About the author

Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county. 

She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.

Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi