Red tape forces out school crossing man

A school crossing warden in Penkridge forced to give up his post because of benefits rules says red tape is putting children's lives at risk.

John Van Der Wyke, who has an artificial leg, was forced to quit his patrol near the junction of Bellbrook Road and Teddesley Road, because he earned £14 more than the £20 a week allowed before his disability benefit is affected.

He offered to do it for free but was told he has to earn the minimum wage or he wouldn't be insured and the county council has no plans to employ a new warden there despite Mr Van Der Wyke and parents saying it is dangerous.

The 52-year-old, whose remaining knee is worn out, was physically able to perform the role as he was only required for eight hours a week.

Under the permitted work scheme for those on disability allowance, he can work for 12 months but then has to make the job permanent, which can only happen if he works full-time hours, or quits for a year before coming back, which he has done since 2003.

Mr Van Der Wyke, of Teddesley Road, said: "It's a terrible situation. I want to work. I like the job so much I offered to do it for free.

"I only worked three days this term before having to give it up. On my last day a child said to her mum, 'I love that crossing man'. It brought a tear to my eye and I didn't have the heart to say I wasn't coming back.

"Despite it being classed as a category C crossing, it is dangerous and it seems it will take a nasty accident before anything is done."

Parents of pupils at Marshbrook and St Michael's first schools and Penkridge Middle School have contacted Mr Kidney, county councillor Veronica Downes and Penkridge Parish Council to lobby county bosses to re-instate a crossing patrol. But county council spokesman Tom Hobbins said the patrol would not be replaced.