Since the school crossing patrollers were cut by the SNP administration in 2019 there has been concern that young people in Moray have faced difficult and risky trips to school. To this day concerns continue to be raised by parents to local councillors.
Having reviewed the mitigations the council have been working on and the concerns continuing to be raised the Conservative group will now seek for school crossing patrollers to return again to Moray’s streets.
Commenting is Leader of the Conservative Group Cllr Tim Eagle (Buckie Ward)
"The Conservative group always recognised the precarious financial position the council was in when this decision was made, but on balance were not supportive of the total cut to the service. It was hoped that mitigation could include the installation of crossing points as well as park smart initiatives.
However over the last few years it has become obvious that despite the best efforts of staff mitigation is not easy or works in every situation.
We have schools in a variety of positions and whilst some schools require no SCP support others are crisscrossed by major, heavily trafficked roads. It is not always possible to install traffic calming measures or pedestrian crossings in these areas, that’s leaves a huge inequity across Moray's schools.
Thats why this year we will seek for school crossing patrollers to return to schools where no crossing can be installed or there are not suitable and safe crossing locations.
It is time to correct the mistakes of the past and I hope other groups will support us.
Further commenting is Cllr Frank Brown, Elgin North
“Morriston Road in Elgin is a classic example of where the removal of school crossing patrollers has caused a huge issue. I know there are similar stories in areas like Lossiemouth, Buckie and Forres. Morriston Road is very busy with Moray's biggest high school and a large primary next door to each other.
The layout of the area has meant installing pedestrian crossings in our favoured location is not possible but one further away won’t help with the safety of younger children crossing to Bishopmill Primary.
Whilst work should continue to encouraging active travel to school and making roads safer around schools, we must realise that School Crossing Patrollers are a vital part in that, and so we have taken the decision to call for their return.
Former School Crossing Patroller at Cluny Primary in Buckie, Lee Nicholls has also commented -
“I enjoyed my job helping the young people of Cluny primary cross the busy intersection near Queen Street. This was a very busy road often with cars not just related to the primary school but the high school and the leisure centre. I am aware that many parents would feel much safer having a school crossing patroller back.
Often parents themselves valued having someone there highly visible there during peak period of traffic.
After parents and young people commented to me about the removal of the service I have had regular contact with Councillors raising my concerns. I am pleased to see this will be discussed again."
