PARENTS and councillors across the district fear what would happen if they lost their school crossing patrols, following the county council’s proposed cuts.
School crossing patrols across Hampshire could be axed as part of a budget proposal which aims to save £1.1m.
However, parents are concerned that removing school crossings could result in an accident.
The Hampshire Chronicle went to Stanmore and Bishop's Waltham to speak to the crossing patrollers and parents.
Emma McKenzie, clerk for Bishop’s Waltham Parish Council, is grateful for the town’s school crossing patrol lady, Diane Poulter-Bird who’s been helping kids get to school safely for 21 years.
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Ms McKenzie, whose son goes to Bishop’s Waltham Junior School, said: “The lollipop lady is very important and so friendly and helpful. She looks after all the children.
"That road is so fast and on a junction. Getting rid of school crossing patrols would mean more parents would drive their kids to school, creating more traffic. And it wouldn’t teach children how to cross the road safely, it would put them in danger."
Her son, Peter McKenzie, 10, said: “She always helped me cross the road when I was younger.”
There used to be two school crossing patrol officers covering the junction between Free Street, Bank Street and Hoe Road in Bishop’s Waltham until Mrs Poulter-Bird’s colleague retired around six years ago.
But now, Mrs Poulter-Bird has to watch out for children crossing in all directions.
She said: “I’m of the attitude that whatever will be, will be.
“I wouldn’t have done the job for 21 years if I didn’t love it. I’ve seen children grow up and now have children of their own. Even kids at the junior school still wave to me from the car.
“I will definitely miss it, it gets me up in the morning. The social interactions are wonderful and the kids love the stop stickers.”
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Samantha Newton, whose child attends Lilypad Pre-School in Bishop’s Waltham, said: “It’s very important to have school crossing patrols. These roads around here are not safe at all.
“It would be a big shame if we were to lose her. Children could get knocked over because the cars are not slow on these roads.”
Amanda Morris, whose child goes to Bishop’s Waltham Infant School, said: “Diane’s brilliant and she helps children cross the road really safely.”
City councillor for Bishop’s Waltham, Jonathan Williams, said: “The loss of our school crossing patrols could be quite significant.
“We have another at the end of Langton Road, crossing Main Road. Either of those being lost would be a real shame, especially as we know speeding is a big issue.
“Both our lollipop ladies are part of the community and all the parents know them by face and they keep everybody safe. The county council is having to make a lot of cuts but I think these patrols should be protected.”
County councillor and Winchester City Council leader, Martin Tod, has challenged the county council over a potential solution which he believes wouldn’t work in less well-off areas.
Cllr Tod said: “The funding problems aren't happening by chance - they're a direct consequence of decisions made by Conservative ministers, MPs and councillors. I'm really worried that children's safety will be put at risk.
“The county council is proposing an alternative way of funding crossing patrols but it won't work in less well-off areas. I've already challenged them about this.
“We're now at the point where national Conservative Party decisions by the Prime Minister and other ministers mean that the Conservatives at Hampshire are proposing to cut everything that isn't nailed down.”
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Jackie Jones, 64, who has been a school crossing patrol officer for Stanmore Primary School for seven years, said: “I’d be very upset (if crossing guards were cut). The fact that the kids all know me, I know all the kids that come over this crossing – I’ve seen them from when they were babies in push chairs.
“This is an awkward road here and they need someone here to cross them over. I’ve just got the fear that we won’t make the next cut, we’ve managed two already.”
Catherine Thomas, whose son Freddie Fudge attends Stanmore Primary School, said: “I don’t agree with it. It is very helpful to have, especially on this road where it’s really busy. Some of the children walk by themselves and don’t always look where they’re going, so it’s useful to have her.”
Kimberley Carter said she would be “very against” the cuts to crossing patrol officers, saying: “This is a main road, we need her. She’s the highlight of the children’s day when they come.
“We love her, she’s brilliant.”
Mark Jacobs said: “She knows all the children and is friendly with the adults, which is nice. When She’s not there we don’t have too much bother crossing as long as we’re careful, but it would be such a shame if she wasn’t there. She’s part of the community.”
City councillor for Stanmore, Charlie Wise, said: “Stanmore residents regularly tell me that they want safer roads, and Stanmore lane already suffers from speeding and unsafe driving - the frequently damaged or missing bollards onto King Avenue are proof of that.
“I really worry losing the crossing patrol here will make children’s walk to school much less safe and I urge the county council to reconsider.”
Former mayor, Cllr Vivian Achwal previously worked as a lollipop lady for Whiteley Primary School before being elected to Winchester City Council in 2008.
Cllr Achwal said: "'The School Crossing Patrols (lollipop ladies and men) are an essential service that definitely should not be cut."
A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: “Regarding the specific proposal to find £1.1 million savings from the school crossing patrol budget, any future changes to this service would require more detailed assessment and further public consultation.
"While we have a legal duty to ensure children can get to school as safely as possible, we do not have a statutory duty to do this through the dedicated provision of school crossing patrol officers.
"There may be effective alternatives at some sites which could be identified. There is still some time before any final decisions are made however, as following consideration by the full county council next month, further public consultation may then be undertaken in the new year to explore in more detail options to deliver some savings proposals.”
In Winchester, there are five crossing patrols at risk of being cut based at Lower Stanmore Lane, Stanmore Lane, Stockbridge and Hatherley Road, Badger Farm Roundabout and Church Lane in Kings Worthy.
The proposal is part of Hampshire County Council’s bid to reduce its expenses over the next few years and close the £132m financial gap in its 2025/26 budget.
With no expected forthcoming government financial support, the council has consulted on multiple proposals that could save £90.4m.
However, the authority has warned these cuts may not go far enough - and said more will be needed.
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