Eight of city's school crossing patrols facing axe

Eight school crossing patrols could be axed in Stoke-on-Trent

A cash-strapped city council could axe eight school crossing patrols in an attempt to save money.

At each of the eight locations in Stoke-on-Trent, there have been no patrol staff for at least 10 months, according to the local authority.

The council has been facing a budget shortfall of £30m and the proposal could save about £56,000 a year.

A council report said school crossing patrols were classed as a "non-statutory function" and that the responsibility for children’s safety remained with parents.

There are 37 school crossing patrols across the city. The report said the remaining occupied crossings would not be affected by the cuts.

Councillor Desiree Elliott, cabinet member for education, skills and anti-poverty, said the proposal would “delete” vacant crossings while protecting patrols still in place.

“Some of these vacancies have been as long as four years and some operate in an area where they already have pelican or zebra crossings,” she said.

“We are aware it is a very sensitive issue around school safety and safety of routes to school – this is a budget saving of jobs that have been vacant for some time.”

She added that the council had consulted with schools and that they were “on board”.

Council leader Jane Ashworth encouraged schools who were concerned about the changes to “make their representations” to the authority.

The crossings and schools that would be affected are:

• Chell Heath Road, Chell Heath – Burnwood Primary School

• Barthomley Road, Birches Head – Hamilton Infants

• Sunnyside Avenue, Tunstall – Mill Hill

• Keelings Road/Birch Street, Northwood – Northwood Infants

• Sandon Road/Harrowby Road, Meir – Ormiston Meridian Academy

• Newcastle Lane/Harpfield Road, Trent Vale – St John’s Primary

• Church Road/Maythorne Road, Blurton – Sutherland Primary

• New Inn Lane/Trentley Road, Trentham – Trentham Secondary

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.