CCTV cameras have been installed to catch cars driving down school streets when kids are being picked up and dropped off.

Unauthorised vehicles entering the restricted zones in Brent during these school hours will receive Penalty Charge Notices (PCNS) from next Monday (November 14).

It is part of nationwide school streets measures to reduce congestion and carbon emissions and improve safety outside schools.

Brent Council says there are 33 schools implementing the school streets scheme and residents without permits face being fined.

Children have been vocal in their support of the CCTV enforcement, including Year 6 pupil Esther at John Keble C of E Primary School.

She said: "I think that it is way safer and I have been seeing more children bringing their bikes and scooters now that there is more space for them to use whatever they are using to get back home or going to school, which is really good."

Harrow Times: Motorists will be fined if flouting the school street rules during drop-off and pick-up timesMotorists will be fined if flouting the school street rules during drop-off and pick-up times (Image: Brent Council)

Her classmate Christine said: "I think it is best that cars are not on the road when kids are out because of the pollution. It can damage lungs and effect breathing, especially because of my asthma.”

Catherine, a parent of a Year 1 pupil at the Crownhill Road school, said the scheme will ease parents’ fears of children potentially being run over on their way to school and claims that these streets have “some of the highest levels of air pollution in the country”.

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Cllr Krupa Sheth, cabinet member for environment, said: “I think it is brilliant that we are continuing to support school streets by using CCTV outside of schools.

“We are committed to working with the local community to become more sustainable so that we can reach our target of becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2030. We cannot reach that target without making our streets green, clean and safe for sustainable transport.”

Residents who haven’t already registered their vehicles for a permit should do so by emailing schoolstreets@brent.gov.uk or calling 020 8937 5287.

For a full list of school streets and a breakdown of exemptions, visit: https://www.brent.gov.uk/schoolstreets#locations