700 Bedford locals sign petition for need of School Crossing Patrol
Dunstable Street in Ampthill is currently without any patrols, which parents say is putting children at risk
Parents, carers and locals across parts of Bedfordshire are expressing their 'outrage' at the decision to not recruit a new school crossing patroller in Ampthill.
Dunstable Street's previous lollipop person resigned, leaving the area without one from November 29th.
While parents have spoken with Central Bedfordshire Council, expressing their concerns for children's safety, they've been met with the response that recruitment for the role will not be taking place, due to the "ongoing financial difficulties" at the council.
Sophie Reeson, a parent impacted by the decision, set up a petition calling for the role to be reinstated. Within 48 hours, it's already surpassed 700 signatures.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Sophie said: "The scary thing that all of us parents are kind of toying with at the minute is, what is it going to take for the Council to realise that this is an essential role that needs filling? Is it going to take for a child to effectively be hurt, or worse, for them to realise that we need a school crossing patrol officer in that spot."
Sophie created the petition on behalf of parents, carers, school staff and other locals who have expressed concern following the decision, on the busy Ampthill road that has left some pupils waiting ten minutes to safely be able to cross.
In an effort to establish what can be done to help with the issue, Sophie and other parents have discussed the potential use of money that is handed to Council's after parents take their children out of school.
Central Bedfordshire Council say they're only currently recruiting for "essential roles", however, like Sophie, many parents say that a school crossing patroller, is a vital vacancy to be filled.
"I think it is very essential. Again, a lot of this is caused uproar within our local community."
"We just need the Council to listen to us."
"Like I said, we don't want to forget to a point where something potentially dangerous needs to happen for our voices to be heard, and we just want to be heard and this spot filled before something does happen."
Those who are petitioning for the reinstatement for the patroller have also made it clear that several other options would also help.
The suggestions of traffic lights and zebra crossing have been suggested, if there is enough funding in the 2025 budget, to ensure a safer journey to school, if a patrol officer cannot be replaced.
What do the Council say?
Cllr John Baker, Executive Member for Finance and Highways, said: "Funding for the school crossing patroller at Dunstable Street was not withdrawn. The school crossing patroller resigned, and this was effective from 29th November 2024.
Due to the ongoing financial challenges being experienced by the council, it is currently only recruiting to roles that are essential. Councillors were made aware of this position in early November through a detailed briefing by the Chief Executive and senior Officers. As school crossing patrollers are not a statutory service, Officers have taken the difficult decision to not recruit a replacement at the present time. Should the position change, the council will inform the school and parents."