Bristol councillors unite against funding cuts that threaten school crossing patrols, highlighting safety concerns for children.
Bristol: So, there’s some good news brewing in Bristol! The city’s lollipop patrols, you know, those friendly folks who help kids cross the street, might just be saved. A bunch of councillors from different parties are pushing back against plans to cut their funding completely. They’re saying it’s a bad idea, especially since it could put kids at risk.
The finance sub-committee had a meeting and made it clear they want to scrap the cuts. They pointed out that the savings from cutting these patrols would only be about £314,000 a year. That’s a drop in the bucket compared to the council’s massive £52 million funding gap over the next five years.
But here’s the catch: the sub-committee can’t make the final call. They can only suggest changes before the big decision comes up in February. Still, the passion in the room was pretty evident. Everyone seemed to agree that cutting these patrols would be a huge mistake.
Cllr Ed Plowden, who’s in charge of transport and connectivity, spoke up about how these cuts would hit vulnerable people hard. He mentioned that if the council goes bankrupt, these patrols would be among the first things to go. That’s a scary thought!
He also highlighted how having these patrols encourages kids and their families to walk to school, which is a good thing for their health. If they’re gone, more parents might just drive their kids, which could make things more dangerous for those who can’t afford a car.
Plowden suggested that while zebra crossings could help, they’re not a perfect substitute for a real person helping kids cross. He pointed out that the number of patrols has already been slashed from 65 to about 42 in recent years, and those left are at the most dangerous spots.
He’s all for reviewing the need for these patrols as they roll out new safety measures. And when it comes to disabled parking bays, he thinks the savings from cutting those fees are just too small to justify the negative impact.
Other councillors chimed in, agreeing that cutting these patrols would be a terrible choice. They all seem to think that keeping kids safe should be the top priority. It’s nice to see everyone coming together for a good cause!
So, fingers crossed that these lollipop patrols get the support they need. It’s all about keeping our kids safe on their way to school!
