Spy cameras target school parking

Parents who illegally park will be targeted

A local authority is using mobile CCTV cameras outside schools to spy on parents who park illegally when dropping their children off.

Bolton Council has two cars fitted with cameras to film culprits in a bid to improve road safety outside schools.

Signs have been put up and letters issued to warn drivers but on the first day about 30 cars were filmed stopping on yellow lines near school gates.

A £70 penalty will be issued by letter within 14 days.

The fines will be halved to £35 if paid within two weeks.

'Big safety issue'

Drivers dropping off children at St Peter and Paul's Roman Catholic Primary School, on Pilkington Street, were filmed by the cameras on Tuesday morning.

Damien Leonard, a governor at the school, said: "I hope the council send more fines out and I hope it does stop parents dropping off - its like a little taxi rank.

"Its a big safety issue. It is putting the lives of all the children who walk to school at risk."

The council has also published a list of parking 'hotspots' for drivers to be aware of locations the CCTV cameras could be active in.

Peter Molyneaux, assistant director of highways, said: "I do not think we are spying.

"We have been very, very open about what we are doing."