A pilot scheme that fined people for driving outside schools during the busiest hours of the day will be made permanent.

Croydon Council began trialling the pedestrian zones outside Woodcote Primary School in Coulsdon and Heavers Farm Primary School and St Chad’s Catholic Primary School, both in Selhurst for a six month period beginning in September 2017.

In that initial period where most vehicles were barred from accessing the roads the schools are on during the morning and afternoon school runs, a minimum of £190,060 worth of fines were handed out, with a maximum of £380,120.

Exemption permits were and are available to residents living in the roads, staff at the school, transports for children with special educational needs and others with a "legitimate need to access the road."

Councillor Stuart King said the scheme was all about making the roads safer for children.

“I am really encouraged by the impact the scheme has had with evidence fewer children are being driven to school as a result of this pilot," he said.

“At one school almost two thirds of pupils are now walking, cycling or scooting to school, compared with barely half this time last year.

"I am delighted all three schools have confirmed the environment immediately outside the school gate has improved and become safer following the introduction of the scheme."

RELATED: School run fines revealed by Croydon Council after FOI

Susan Papas, executive headteacher of Heavers Farm and Selsdon Primary schools, backed up these thoughts.

“Since the implementation of the Croydon Council School pilot scheme, we have noticed a significant decrease in cars that drive and park up the road," she said.

“The residents have mentioned the street has become quieter during the ‘school run’ periods and it is now much safer for both parents and children to walk up the road.

“Furthermore, we have observed that more pupils are now using other modes transport i.e. buses, cycling, walking and carpooling.”

The council have said that similar scheme could be rolled out at other Croydon schools.