Parents face fines for driving kids to school as council pilots ban on all traffic at pick up and drop off times

A video still shows a vehicle driving on the pavement in Oldhill Street. Photograph: Hackney Council

Parents at two Hackney schools could be hit with fines for dropping off their children by car.

St John the Baptist in Hoxton and Tyssen Community in Stamford Hill have signed up to pilot road closures during school run hours.

Drivers who are spotted flouting the rules will face fines of up to £130.

The nine-month trials, which aim to improve child safety and cut pollution, are set to begin in June at St John the Baptist and in September at Tyssen. The council has consulted parents and is now gathering opinions from local residents.

A survey conducted at St John the Baptist found nearly 70 per cent of parents opposed the measures, but the reaction at Tyssen has been “positive”.

Headteacher Jackie Benjamin said: “Our school has been working tirelessly to improve safety in Oldhill Street. At pick-up and drop-off times there are daily altercations and drivers will drive on the pavement to avoid traffic.”

In February, the Town Hall posted shocking CCTV footage of five cars using the pavement on Oldhill Street in quick succession, with pedestrians being forced to skirt around them.

Commenting on the impending trials, Hackney Cycling Campaign’s Jono Kenyon said: “The policy delivers on multiple fronts. It improves the environment, cuts dangers to children and reduces childhood obesity – it’s a win-win.”

A report last year revealed 27 primary schools in Hackney breached EU limits for nitrogen dioxide levels, with St John the Baptist among the worst-affected.

A spokesperson for Hackney Council said: “The consultation is due to start at the end of the month, and parents will be feeding back to the schools after the consultation period.”