LOLLIPOP patrollers could be the latest victims of council cuts in Aberdeen.
In the wake of a catalogue of cutbacks and increased charges the hard-up city Council wants to wield the axe over school crossing patrollers.
The move would see 25 crossings where there are traffic lights left unmanned – saving £74,000.
The move had initially been put forward by officers to save money in this year’s budget.
But even though it was removed from the list, the council will still consider the move tomorrow because of staff shortages.
It would see the number of manned crossings slashed from 91 to 66.
Angry parents today blasted the proposal which they fear will put lives at risk.
A report going to councillors tomorrow suggests affected schools could hold “pedestrian training” for the children to help address safety concerns. Pupils would be taught how to press the button to activate the green man.
Crossings are the latest casualties in the council’s cuts to services and facilities as it tries to claw back £27million.
The Bon Accord Baths are to close along with Doonies Farm and Glencraft factory.
Meanwhile, the Linx Ice Arena is to shut for 12 months for repairs and various day centres are earmarked for partial closure.
Crossing patroller Jean Cruickshank, 71, who is based at the traffic lights at the busy junction between Hutcheon Street and Berryden Road, today said : “I have been posted here since before there were lights 12 years ago. People go round just as fast now they are here than they did before. The council should come out of their offices to see what happens on the road before they take patrollers away. It will be an accident waiting to happen.
“There is nearly a crash here almost every day.”
Each crossing point would be risk assessed before its patroller was removed.
But mum Margaret Massie, 25, from Holland Street, said she could not let her four-year-old son Michael Ferguson, walk to Skene Square school if no one watched him cross.
“A lot of cars turn when they shouldn’t,” she said. “Drivers do this when young children are crossing the roads.”
Derek Wasyliszyn, 32, who has two children at Causewayend primary, said: “It is a dangerous place to cross – cars don’t always stop and there is also the busy roundabout nearby.”
ktaylor@ajl.co.uk