SCHOOL run parents have been urged to ‘walk’ with their children or park elsewhere to avoid fines, as a pub received widespread backing for installing a car park ANPR camera.
Readers have backed the Lyppard Grange pub in Ankerage Green, Warndon Villages, after an ANPR camera was introduced in the pub car park.
The camera is now live, meaning anyone who parks in the bays can be fined £100 if they stay more than 15 minutes.
Some of those backing the move to bring in the camera include pub customers and even parents of children at Lyppard Grange Primary School who have been using the car park at drop-off and pick-up.
‘CARNAGE’: Cllr Andrew Cross said he was keen to hear from anyone impacted by the ANPR cameras at the Lyppard Grange pub (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
The school sent a text to parents on Wednesday, warning them that the cameras are ‘in operation’ with a grace period of 15 minutes.
Stacey Tyler wrote on Facebook: “They’ve given parents use of the carpark at drop off/pick up times for 15 minutes. As a parent with a child at that school, I think that’s fair.”
Kyle Byrd wrote: “Good on the pub is what I say.”
Raul Robbo wrote: “Walk like we did as kids.”
However, Tom Davies wrote: “In reality do they really get that many customers to fill the car park at that time?”
Yet Stuart Jenkins responded, writing: “I have had to go somewhere else to eat as the car park was full.”
Matt Roberts said: “You can’t even get up the road to access the pub … last year they had the police there to prevent parents parking on double yellow lines!! The parents on exiting the carpark don’t even give way and just pull out !! Best thing they’ve ever done.”
The ANPR camera is accompanied by new warning signs at the pub car park, mounted on top of a heavy-duty metal pole
The car park has been used by parents during drop-off and pick-up at Lyppard Grange Primary School.
A sign at the entrance reads: “Welcome to the Lyppard Grange Guest Only Car Park. Guests must register their full and correct vehicle registration details via the console in the pub.”
Those who do not register face a £100 fine (or £60 if paid within 14 days of issue), a Euro Car Parks sign warns.
However, people parking in the pub car park, including parents of children at the Lyppard Grange Primary School, do have a 15 minute grace period before the fines kick in.
A staff member answering the phone at the pub said the decision to install the camera was made by Mitchells and Butlers, which runs the Sizzling Pubs business, rather than anyone at the pub itself.
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We have also approached the company for comment directly and the primary school. However, neither had responded by the time we went to press.
Cllr Andrew Cross, a Green Party county councillor for Warndon Villages and city councillor for Leopard Hill, described parking outside the school and pub as ‘carnage at times’ and added: “We are doing what we can to reduce it.”
Cllr Cross said: “Cllr Katie Collier and I are very keen to hear from anyone impacted by this situation – parents, people who work at the school or pub, and local residents. We hope that by hearing from everyone, we can help find a good solution.”