Council publishes guidance on 'safe haven' zones rules

NEW rules have been explained on who is and who is not allowed to enter several Derby roads amid thousands being fined for breaching them.

- By NIGEL SLATER

Derby City Council is looking at expanding its School Safe Haven Zone scheme and is seeking public opinion on another daily temporary road closure in the city.

There are more than a dozen of the zoned streets in Derby which prevent drivers from using certain roads during school-run times, both in the morning and afternoon. This is usually between 8.30am and 9.15am and between 2.30pm and 3.30pm but each road differs.

The aim of these rules is to make it safer for children to get to and from school and reduce road pollution. Anyone caught entering a temporarily closed road risks being fined up to £70. But exemptions are allowed for certain motorists.

Over the last two years, almost 28,000 fines have been issued to Derby motorists, a Freedom of Information request has shown.

Recently taxi drivers claimed they were unable to pick up or drop off vulnerable or disabled people outside their homes because of the rules.

As part of its public consultation to make Sheridan Street in Sinfin a new School Safe Haven Zone, the council has published guidance on what the rules are.

The consultation can be seen at letstalk.derby.gov.uk/cottons-farm-primary-school-safe-haven-survey