WOKINGHAM Borough Council (WBC) has announced that permanent safe crossings are to be built at eight schools across the Borough.

The announcement comes after eight lollipop men were removed from their posts near schools last year.

Now, the remaining Crossing Patrollers have been put at risk of redundancy subject to a formal HR process.

A seven week consultation on the safety issues connected with removing the patrollers elicited hundreds of complaints from residents in 2017 but WBC said the 360 responses did not highlight any safety issues relating to their dismissals.

Zebra crossings will now be installed at St Paul’s Junior & Walter Infant Schools in Wokingham, Woodley CofE Primary School in Woodley, Willow Bank Infant & Junior Schools in Woodley, Keep Hatch Primary School in Wokingham and South Lake Primary School in Woodley by September.

Responding to the replacement of ‘lollipop men’ with safe crossings, executive member for highways, Cllr Keith Baker said: “We do not take a decision such as this lightly.

“We looked carefully at the consultation responses and it is clear that some parents like the reassurance of a school crossing patroller and that the patrollers are popular.

“But it is also clear that permanent crossings are a safe alternative. Last year, we removed patrollers from locations that had permanent crossings and there have been no issues around the pedestrian crossing providing safe passage for school children.

“In fact, the crossings have provided a safe way for all pedestrians, including pupils and parents, crossing the road. Furthermore, it has increased the safety for crossing these roads outside of school times.”

In addition to the new zebra crossings, a signal-controlled crossing will be put in place at Polehampton CofE Infant & Junior Schools in Twyford, Oaklands Primary School and Loddon Primary School.

WBC claim that everybody will be able to use the new crossings 24 hours a day. The School Crossing Patrollers who are still in place are currently available at ‘limited periods and locations’.

Last year it was feared that school children’s safety would be put at risk because of the removal of the lollipop men.

John Pink, a lollipop man of 15 years who was removed from his post in July 2017, previously claimed the decision was “disgraceful”.

He was also quoted as saying: “The roads are getting busier and we are needed more than ever now. It's putting children in danger for the sake of saving some money".

"I don't think anyone has assessed how bad it has got round here. I do understand cuts need to be made, but this isn't the place to start, the children are at risk".