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Quarry Bank school hits out at council plans to axe lollipop patrols in charges row

Bosses of a primary school located on a busy road have hit out at cash-strapped Dudley Council's plans to axe lollipop patrols.

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Governors of Thorns Primary in Quarry Bank say children are 'at great risk' from the busy Thorns Road.

Fifty speeding drivers were reported and two vehicles were seized in a two hour police crackdown on the road and nearby Dudley Road earlier this month.

As part of the authority's proposal, schools would have to pay for the crossing patrols to make up for the cuts.

But Thorns Primary School governors say this would 'inevitably impact on the employment and academic standards', because the school would need to make up the cost from other areas.

The speed limit of Thorns Road was reduced from 40 to 30mph in 2014 in a bid to boost safety.

Hilary Bills, cabinet member for environmental services, said the safety of children is of 'paramount importance', but the school's 'free crossing service' is being reviewed 'due to ongoing funding cuts by central government.'

A joint statement released from the governing body of the school stated: "Governors of Thorns Primary School wish to raise our concerns regarding the future of school crossing patrols in Dudley.

"Governors understand that the council is experiencing extreme budget difficulties but feels the council is not recognising that schools are already in a similar financial position.

"Such financial off-loading by the council will inevitably impact on the employment of teaching staff and academic standards – schools have not the budget to pay for crossing patrols."

Governors said council officers suggested a Healthy Schools grant or PE Sports premium could be used to pay for crossing patrols.

"This clearly does not relate to the criteria set out by the Department for Education," said the school governing body. We believe that would be severely criticised by Ofsted."

And governors voiced their 'concerns' that Dudley Council says crossing patrols are not legally required.

"Governors believe that there is a moral obligation for the council to safeguard pupils and families. This relates directly to our school-specific circumstances.

"Our school is located on a fast dual-carriageway, which young children and families need to cross to access safe walking routes, car parking off the dual carriage-way and local bus services."

Hilary Bills, cabinet member for environmental services, said: "Dudley is not the first authority to impose charging schools for their school crossing patrol service and whilst we will do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition, the unprecedented financial challenges we are experiencing means that frontline services will continue to be affected.

"The safety of children is of paramount importance to the council."

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