Plan to scrap 17 Edinburgh school crossing patrol posts is halted again so schools can be consulted
Plans to scrap 17 vacant lollipop patrol posts across Edinburgh have been halted for a second time.
Councillors blocked the move to delete the roles after learning there had been no consultation with the schools concerned or their parent councils.
There are currently 173 established crossing patrol posts in the city, with around 150 part-time staff in place at present.
The council carried a review of the crossing sites, including pedestrian and vehicle counts and a survey of collision data. And officials recommended 17 sites for removal. The council said some of the sites had been without a crossing guide for 15 years or more.
A report to the transport committee said 15 of the 17 did not meet the national criteria for a school crossing patrol; 14 were at light-controlled crossings with a green man facility; one was at a zebra crossing; and two were on roads that have been closed to through traffic.
The plan to scrap the posts was first halted in April. The committee was told there had been repeated rounds of recruitment for new lollipop men and women, but low levels of job applications meant the total number remained largely unchanged.
Councillors called for a review of wages and conditions to tackle the problem. And officials said they would look at the possibility of combining the role of a crossing guide with other functions to make the job more attractive.
But when the proposal returned to the committee last week, it was halted again so schools could be consulted on the plans.
Chas Booth, Green councillor for Leith, said: "It is essential that the council properly consults with the schools and the school communities affected before reaching a decision on the future of these school crossing guides.
"The safety of our kids getting to school is paramount and it's important that all issues are considered before any decision.
"Lollipop people should only be withdrawn where there are physical measures, such as zebra crossings, in place to ensure the safety of our kids, and the school community has given their informed consent."
He continued: "There is a wider question about whether the council is doing enough to ensure the pay and terms and conditions for our school crossing guides is sufficient to attract people into this role, and to remain in it.
"And the council must look to do more to reduce the total number of motor vehicles on our streets to improve safety for our kids through policies such as expanding parking controls or preparing for congestion charging."
Transport convener Stephen Jenkinson said the lollipop posts affected were no longer required, but the pause had been accepted "to make sure all the 'i's are dotted and 't's crossed. “Then we'll bring it back to the committee and hopefully make a decision."
The school crossing sites proposed to be removed are:
Craigentinny Primary School - Craigentinny Road / Loaning Road
Craigroyston Primary School - Pennywell Road / Muirhouse Avenue
Stewarts Melville - Ravelston Terrace / Queensferry Terrace
Flora Stevenson Primary School - Comely Bank Road / Comely Bank Avenue
Gracemount Primary School - Lasswade Road at Liberton Hospital
George Watsons - Colinton Road / Ettrick Road
James Gillespies Primary School - Whitehouse Loan / Warrender Park Road
Leith Primary School - Academy Street / Laurie Street
Oxgangs Primary School - Colinton Mains Drive at school
Roseburn Primary School - Roseburn Street / Roseburn Terrace
Royal Mile Primary School - Holyrood Road / Dumbiedykes Road
St Catherines RC Primary School - Captains Road /Lasswade Road
St Marys RC Primary School, Leith (site 1) - East Hermitage Place / Links Gardens
St Marys RC Primary School, Leith (site 2) - Restalrig Road / Gladstone Place
St Peters RC Primary School - Morningside Road / Falcon Avenue
South Morningside Primary School - Cluny Gardens / Braid Road
Stockbridge Primary School - Brandon Street / Eyre Place
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