A storm of protest broke out in Warrington today as the council took the decision to remove all school crossing patrols across the town due to Storm Eunice.
Instead of providing crossing patrols, the council took the decision to provide basic road safety advice on social media, sparking outrage from parents and grandparents
Shortly before schools were due to close for half-term an update on the council’s facebook page said:
Due to the storm we won’t have any school crossing patrols this afternoon, children should cross with an adult and younger children should always hold hands with the adult.
If possible use another safer crossing point such as a zebra or puffin crossing and of course always use the Green Cross Code.
❎ Stop at the kerb
❎Look all around from traffic
❎Listen for traffic
❎Think is it safe to cross the road
One angry grandparent from Woolston contacted Warrington Worldwide saying: “As a grandparent of a Warrington primary school pupil I cannot believe the total dereliction of duty by WBC in the withdrawal of school crossing patrols this afternoon.
“Many children who live within walking distance and walk home on their own are entrusted to the care of these school crossing patrols to ensure they get safely across streets busy with school pick-up traffic.
“In windy and rainy conditions the hazards increase, yet WBC sees fit to remove this safety facility.
“If they had one iota of common sense they would either have left things alone or closed the schools for the day.
“Their incompetence and obvious lack of caring for our young children knows no bounds. If a single child comes to any harm as a result of this irresponsible decision then they should feel the full force of parent groups and possible prosecution.”
The council’s facebook page received numerous complaints from angry parents and grandparents.
One posted; “How ridiculous! It’s ok for the children to cross but too dangerous for an adult to do their job? If it’s not safe to have a crossing patrol then schools should have been closed!”
Another post read: “Hopefully all school children are now home safe … WBC please note… windy weather plus end of term = kids more hyper than usual ….so all the more reason for then to have their routines the same….but no…. let’s take away the safe place to cross and publish the Green Cross Code on FB because that will definitely keep you safe…”
Another posted: “Hopefully no kids who walk home without an adult get run over trying to cross where they expect a crossing patrol to assist (usually at accident hotspots). Who makes these decisions.”
A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: “We took the decision to stand down our school crossing patrols today due to the deteriorating weather. In extreme windy weather, as we have seen today, school crossing patrols are not able to securely hold their ‘lollypops’. Without this equipment, school crossing patrols do not have legal powers to stop traffic to help people cross the road. This was therefore an exceptional circumstance and the decision was not taken lightly.
“We briefed schools about this decision and communicated to parents and carers that they should ensure they hold hands with young children when crossing the road and, as always, follow the green cross code. We also advised all parents and carers to – where possible – use a safe crossing point, such as a zebra or puffin crossing.”
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