Borough pupils being left with less road safety

Parents of pupils from schools including St Richard’s and Meadowbank primary schools were told there would be no crossing patrol on Flapper Fold Lane, in Atherton, for two weeks from Monday, February 10.

This is because the usual patrol has been asked to cover a higher grade crossing during the period due to a staff absence .

Points across the borough are graded A to D with A being the highest and D being the lowest priority.

Flapper Fold Lane is graded C.

While A and B grade crossings are always covered, those graded C and D will only be if staffing levels allow.

The council said this policy has been practised since the service was established.

The council said it has informed the schools affected of the decision, so they could notify parents and carers and ask them to be “extra vigilant” when taking their children to and from schools.

The council also said that next week is February half-term, which means the crossing patrol would not be needed.

In a letter, the council said: “Points across the borough are graded A to D with A being the highest and D being the lowest.

“Our policy states that we will always cover A and B grade crossings with those graded C and D when staffing levels allow.

“This policy has been practised since the service was established.

“Operationally what this means is that if a member of staff is absent and they are operating on a grade A or B crossing then a patrol from a grade C and D crossing is relocated to cover the higher grade to ensure our highest priority crossings are staffed.

“The crossing point is graded Grade C and the patrol has been asked to cover a higher grade crossing for this time.

The council’s letter added: “We have informed the schools so that they may notify parents as soon as possible and ask parents and carers to be extra vigilant when taking their children to and from school.”

The news has not gone down well with people on social media after Atherton councillor Stuart Gerrard posted the letter on Facebook.

They have blamed council cutbacks to the service, which they said included not replacing patrols who left the service and cutting the points covered.

Debbie Smith said: “Unfortunately over four years ago the council started to reduce the service, by not replacing patrols who left the service and cutting the points covered, which had the negative effect of not having enough staff to move around.

“A lot of the amazing patrols are in their 70’s and a few over 80.

“It’s an ageing workforce that needs more support and for the safety of our precious children more points reopened.

“The lights at the top of Hamilton Street are still being ignored. I fought to have a patrol on there for most of my supervisor time.”

Stewart Wallwork added: “In plain English we cannot supply a lollipop person at the moment but we are trying to get someone.

“Bear with us.”