Wolverhampton steps up traffic enforcement on school runs

City of Wolverhampton Council is working to make the school run safer by stepping up its traffic enforcement patrols in streets around the city’s schools. 

Increased safety measures include rollout of second mobile enforcement vehicle (MEV), targeting drivers who ignore ‘keep clear’ zones near schools 

Cllr Qaiser Azeem, Cabinet Member for City Transport, with a mobile enforcement vehicle (MEV), photo courtesy of City of Wolverhampton Council

Officers on foot already patrol dozens of sites across the city each week, on the look-out for drivers who flout traffic restrictions at drop-off and pick-up times. That includes parking on pavements and double yellow lines in streets surrounding schools. 

These patrols are currently supported by a single mobile enforcement vehicle (MEV), with a second to be deployed in coming weeks. 

The MEV uses is fitted with a GPS system to recognise where parking restrictions begin and end in ‘keep clear’ zones around schools, as well as at some bus stops. The MEV system captures video of potential parking violations, which is reviewed by an independent officer.  

Where a violation is confirmed, a penalty charge notice (PCN) – with photographic evidence – is issued by post within 28 days. 

The existing MEV was upgraded in September 2025. Since then, almost 500 PCNs have been issued to those parking in school keep clear zones, with dozens more sent to those parking in bus stops. 

As well as the tech on board the MEVS, the council’s wider Safer Routes to School programme includes measures such as new zebra crossings, speed bumps, improved signage, as well as extensions to keep clear zones around schools, with many more schools in the region to benefit over the coming year. 

Cllr Qaiser Azeem, Cabinet Member for City Transport at City of Wolverhampton Council, says: ‘Keeping children safe on their journey to and from school is one of our top priorities. Illegal parking outside schools puts lives at risk and causes unnecessary congestion. 

‘By introducing another hi-tech enforcement vehicle, we’re sending a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated. These measures, alongside our Safer Routes to School improvements, will help create a safer, healthier environment for pupils, parents and the wider community.’