GETTING rid of lollipop men and women is not a way for the region’s cash-strapped councils to make savings.
That was the message from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), after two local authorities in the region warned that savings had to be made.
North Yorkshire County Council which said the situation was under “constant review”.
A spokesman for the authority said: “While there are no immediate plans for a major reorganisation of the school crossing patrol service, it is necessary to keep the situation under constant review, given the very significant cuts to council budgets.”
East Riding of Yorkshire Council said there were no current plans to cut school crossing patrols. However, a spokesman said budgets were “subject to reduction” following the recent Government grant settlement for local authorities.
The council’s budget for the coming financial year is due to be set next month.
Vicky Fraser, of RoSPA, said: “School crossing patrols provide a valuable safety service for children crossing roads on their way to and from school.
“We would hope that as many patrols as possible would be kept active.
“Spending cuts are being made across the board, but we believe that the purpose of disestablishing a crossing patrol site should not be to save money, but should be to divert the patrol to another site where there is a greater need for its services.”
City of York Council said it was actively seeking to recruit school crossing patrol staff. Coun Steve Galloway said: “We haven’t even considered cuts which would affect personal safety – it’s just not on the agenda.”
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