Published: Wednesday, 12th March, 2008 10:00
Crossing patrol cuts could put lives at risk
By Nicola Findlay
Comments (0)
Print Article
Councillor Craig Holden is concerned children's lives could be put at risk if school crossing patrols are cut.
CUTS to school crossing patrols in this year’s budget could be putting children’s safety at risk, according to Independent councillor Craig Holden.
Mr Holden raised his concerns at last Wednesday’s council meeting after he was approached by the Parent Council at St Mungo’s Primary.
There hasn’t been a lollipop man or woman outside the Alloa school since before Christmas, and parents are worried that a child could be seriously hurt.
Maureen Jones, chair of the Parents Council at St Mungo’s, said, “The kids are basically crossing the road on their own and I wouldn’t like to see a child being killed before something is done.
“I know it is a ‘20s Plenty’ zone and there are speed bumps further along from the school, but that doesn’t stop people speeding.
“All the parents feel very strongly about this and we definitely need a school crossing patrol before anything happens to any of the children.
“Parents dropping off and picking children up from school in their cars are careful, but it would only take a second for a child to run out from behind a car for a tragedy to happen.”
She added, “We were told that the post was being advertised and the council even asked us if there were any mums or grandparents who would help children get across the road. But at the end of the day it’s not up to us – it’s up to the council to give us a crossing patrol officer.”
The Labour administration want to cut nine crossing patrols which are either vacant or are of a low usage, with the aim of saving £25,000.
However, Councillor Holden has warned that cutting costs should not be put before children’s lives.
“I feel the reduction in school crossing patrols compromises children’s safety – I can’t see how it wouldn’t do that,” said Mr Holden.
“I might me willing to accept the reduction if you were taking other measures such as having playground assistants helping children cross the road.”
He went on, “I don’t feel zebra crossings are enough as you have five, six, seven and eight year-olds crossing roads on their own. I don’t see why we can’t use a classroom assistant to make sure the children can cross the road safely.
“God forbid that for the sake of £25,000 something serious happens.”
SNP councillor Mark English agreed that the safety of children should take priority over the cost of the service.
He said, “Safety is paramount and as a parent of children who use these crossings it is reassuring to know there is a pair of ears and eyes and someone there to get their children safely across the road.
“It is an emotive issue and although I can understand cutting back where there are ones that aren’t being used, in any case where the safety of children could be put at risk we need to extend the consultation to the people that matter – and that is the parents.
“The safety of even one child being put at risk simply is not acceptable to this council.”
However, Labour councillor George Matchett said that the safety of children was paramount and no crossing would be removed without an extensive risk assessment.
He added that the number of crossings in Clackmannanshire was within the Scottish Government criteria and formula for school crossing patrols.
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Further Details
Road signs for new bridge fail to point to Clackmannanshire