Anger over lack of school crossing patrol in Trowbridge (From Wiltshire Times)

Anger over lack of school crossing patrol in Trowbridge

3:49pm Thursday 19th November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(10)

Parents of children at a primary school in Trowbridge are angry that they are still without a crossing patrol after a pupil was knocked down outside the school this week.

Luckily eight-year-old Jessica-Louise Haines was not badly hurt in the incident, which happened after school on Monday.

But parents say the situation has been an accident waiting to happen ever since the previous lollipop lady retired in the summer and has still not been replaced.

Jessica-Louise’s mum, Gemma, 27, of Regents Place, said she was at work at the Green Shoots Day Nursery next door to the school when the accident happened.

She said: “Somebody should be there, even if it’s a teacher or teaching assistant until they find someone permanent.”

Another mum, Sonia Saxby, 43, of Manor Road, said: “We need a crossing patrol, it could have been really nasty.

“I was just behind the little girl when she was hit. Luckily the car was within the speed limit so she wasn’t badly injured, but without the crossing patrol these poor little kids haven’t got a chance.

“We desperately need somebody down there.”

The school advertised for a new crossing patroller in its newsletters and a new one was employed in October but cannot start until they have Criminal Records Bureau checks completed and have undergone training.

Mrs Saxby added: “It’s been an accident waiting to happen since they went back to school and have not had a crossing patrol.

“It’s just stupid, I don’t understand why the council didn’t employ someone over the holidays?”

The school sent a letter home to parents on Tuesday informing them of what had happened and that they had asked the council to review the road markings and lower the 30mph speed limit.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We are very sorry to hear about this incident. The safety of all our road users, especially children, is our priority and while the recruitment process is ongoing and there is no patroller in place, we would ask parents to take extra care when ensuring their children get to school safely. We are always short of crossing patrollers and we would like anyone interested in the positions to contact Wiltshire Council on 01225 713580.

“While we are happy to advertise through local newspapers, we encourage schools to advertise through their own communities, because that is where almost all patrollers are found.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(10)