Calls to keep Dorridge Primary's school crossing patrol after zebra crossing installed - The Solihull Observer

Calls to keep Dorridge Primary's school crossing patrol after zebra crossing installed

Solihull Editorial 20th Jun, 2018 Updated: 20th Jun, 2018   0

A PETITION has been launched to against plans to relocate the school crossing patrol outside Dorridge Primary School once a zebra crossing has been installed.

Liz Shaylor started the online petition in a bid to save the patrol and keep the children at the Station Road school safe at the start and end of the day.

Solihull Council has announced plans to put a zebra crossing just outside the school over this year’s summer holiday as part of the review of the school crossing patrols across the borough.

Last year the council approved plans to cut half of the borough’s 44 patrols by April 2019 as part of plans to save £100,000.




On the online petition Liz said: “A zebra crossing is required for use throughout the day but on such a busy road we believe a lollipop man is also necessary during the school run when the safety of so many young children is at risk.

“This will also encourage children and families to walk to school rather than drive.


“A zebra crossing is needed but also ‘Tony’ the Lollipop man is invaluable.

“The school has over 600 pupils, plus nursery children who are as young as three plus siblings all on the school run.

“Tony does an incredible job of managing the children, their siblings and the traffic flow.”

A Solihull Council spokesperson told the Observer Tony is a mobile patrol officer and his role is to cover short periods of sickness absence, moving around the borough providing cover where needed.

They added the mobile patrol officer is not at risk of losing his job as suggested in the petition, but will be moved and continue to provide much needed support for the service at other locations across the borough.

The school crossing patrol service is not a statutory service and councils across the country have been cutting the service in response to heavy government cuts since 2010.

Coun Ted Richards, cabinet member for transport and highways, said: “As part of the review of the school crossing patrols service, Station Road was identified as one of the potential sites for a Zebra crossing.

“Subsequently in March 2018 approval was granted to take forward a scheme at this location, and as a result it is currently being designed and is proposed for implementation during this year’s school summer holiday.

“The Council is aware that a petition has been created which asks for this for this decision to be reviewed.

“This petition, if received, will be considered at my July decision session.”

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