The plans to axe 26 school crossing patrols in Hampshire to save the cash-strapped county council £1.1 million a year has left parents fearing for the safety of their children.
Worried parents are urging Hampshire County Council to prioritise children’s wellbeing and safety and have asked how much a child’s life is worth.
The council currently provides 184 school crossing patrols (SCP), a service which helps children and parents cross the road safely on their way to and from school.
However, under the savings proposal plan to generate enough money to plug the financial gap of £132 million by 2025/26, 26 patrols are set to be removed from the streets to save £1.1 million per year.
If approved, 26 patrols in Eastleigh, Fareham, Havant, Gosport, New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester, Hart or Rushmore would be withdrawn by April 2025.
Further to the 26 which could be axed, the other 154 patrol sites would be reviewed to see “what could be done to make them safer”. The council said changes to roads, improving road signs, installing a traffic island, changing speed limits, or installing traffic lights could be introduced to replace the patrols.
Lisa Greenway, a mother from Aldershot, expressed her concern about the measure, and although she understands the council’s need to balance the budget, children’s safety and wellbeing should be “paramount” for the council.
Mrs Greenway said: “It feels like a kick in the teeth.
“The children’s safety and wellbeing should be the priority to everybody.
"Is £1.1 million the price of a life? If I buried my child because they’ve been hit by a car because there is a lack of SCP, is my child’s life worth £1.1 million?"
This mum pointed out the importance of school crossing patrols for the whole community since they are a trustees person for children, and they can notice a change in behaviour in children and give feedback to schools.
She added: “Children built up that relationship with them. The lollipop person also gets to know the child and the family."
In regards to the public consultation which is gathering people’s thoughts on a variety of proposed cuts, Mrs Greenway urged Hampshire County Council to publicise it more and to make it easier to understand since many parents are not aware of “what is going on” and those who are aware “don’t understand what the consultation is saying”.
Bill O’Donovan, a school governor in Hampshire, suggested that the council’s financial sustainability doesn’t depend on the £1.1 million savings that could be made by getting rid of the patrols.
He said: “The council’s medium and long-term financial sustainability doesn’t depend on this.
“I think there is too much short-term thinking here. The council and Hampshire MPs need to do a much better job and fight for our community’s needs.”
Here is the full list of sites from our patch which could lose their crossing patrols:
Eastleigh – Chamberlayne Road/Blenheim Road
Eastleigh – Chapel Road/Moorgreen Road, West End
Eastleigh – Hobb Lane, Hedge End
Eastleigh – Maunsell Way/Marlborough Gardens, Hedge End
Eastleigh – Portsmouth Road, Lowford, outside Angela Coaches (Zebra)
Eastleigh – Wildern Lane, Hedge End (Zebra)
Fareham – Hunts Pond Road/Longacres, Park Gate
Fareham – Red Lion/Stubbington Green, Stubbington
Gosport – Gosport Road/Cambridge Road
Gosport – Wych Lane/Kent Road
New Forest – Exbury Road/Hampton Lane, Blackfield
New Forest – Studley Avenue/Lime Kiln Lane, Holbury
New Forest – A35 High Street, Lyndhurst (Zebra)
Test Valley – Cupernham Lane, Romsey
Test Valley – A3057 Stockbridge, outside The White Hart pub
Test Valley – Parkhouse Road, Shipton Bellinger
Public consultation will be open until March 31.
Share