Croydon Council staff behind the idea to pedestrianise streets outside three Croydon schools have received national recognition.

In September, Heavers Farm and St Chad’s in Selhurst and Woodcote in Coulsdon – were enlisted to the council’s pilot scheme to ban people from driving through the roads outside the schools during morning and afternoon runs.

Now the British Parking Association have awarded those staff members in the ‘Parking in the Community’ category.

A Freedom of Information request submitted by the Croydon Guardian last year revealed that from October 2 - October 27 (the first four weeks drivers were being issued fines as part of the project), 665 penalty charge notices were handed out to people who ignored the change.

It wasn't just the one award that council staff scooped during the night either.

Youssef El-Khouri, who combines his day jobs as a civil enforcement officer in the parking team with being a lollipop man at a school crossing near Woodcote Primary, took out the 'The Frontline Award'.

His popularity with pupils, their parents and local residents was cited as a large reason for the honour.

Councillor Stuart King said: “These awards are a real accolade for our parking team, who have done so well to have been singled out for praise among their peers nationwide.

“I’m especially pleased for Youssef, who has received a lot of praise from local people for his role in this school parking trial.”

The school-run parking zone consultation period concluded last week, and the council’s traffic management advisory committee will decide later this year whether to make the schemes permanent.