Dorset lollipop patrol funding cuts delayed

Dorset County Council is proposing to cut funding for school crossing patrols

Residents in Dorset are to be given extra time to find funding for school crossing patrols.

Dorset County Council, which is withdrawing funding for the lollipop men and women, has extended a consultation by three months.

An eight-month consultation, which is already under way, will now be extended until the end of March 2012.

Funding for 10 of the patrols had been due to end in July 2011, with the remaining 55 cut in December.

The move is expected to save the council £200,000 a year in salary costs.

Volunteer service

The cuts are among a number of measures agreed by the Conservative-run council in December to help save £27m in 2011/12.

The council said the extension was to give town and parish councils, schools and community groups time to find their own funding or to organise a volunteer service.

If alternative funding or volunteers are found, the council would remain responsible for the management, supervision and training for the service.

Weymouth parent Helen Toft has started a petition urging the council to reverse its decision to cut funding.

Ms Toft, who runs a walking bus service to Holy Trinity School, said: "Without the crossing patrol there will be dead children on our roads."

The savings proposal will be discussed at a budget setting meeting on Thursday 17 February.