appendix 1 – background report 1. detail background · 1 appendix 1 – background report 1....

1

APPENDIX 1 – BACKGROUND REPORT

1. Detail

1.1 Background Under amendments to s. 26 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (introduced by the Transport Act 2000) provision of a school crossing patrol service is not a statutory duty and remains a permissive function i.e. is carried out at the discretion of the council. Until 2000 the SCP service in London was provided by the Metropolitan Police. Thereafter responsibility for the service was transferred to the London boroughs. Croydon’s service has 26 sites serving 23 schools borough-wide. Of these sites three are based at automated crossings and seven are based at zebra crossings. The sites and the schools they serve are shown below:

Table 1: Crossings considered for disestablishment

Type School Ward

Auto Elmwood Selhurst

Auto Oasis Academy Ashburton

Auto St John’s Heathfield

Zebra Park Hill Fairfield

Zebra Broadmead / The Crescent (Northcote Rd)

Selhurst

Zebra Broadmead (Sydenham Rd)

Selhurst

Zebra Woodside Addiscombe

Zebra Woodside Addiscombe

Zebra All Saints U. Norwood

Zebra Aerodrome Waddon

The service is provided within school term dates only and is funded from the local authority revenue budgets. The council budget for provision of the service in 2013-14 is £107,200. The Schools Finance (England) Regulations 2008 prohibits the use of delegated schools budgets to provide the service. A local education authority’s LEA budget or schools’ budget must not include the following classes or descriptions of expenditure for the purposes of section 26 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (1) (arrangements for patrolling school crossings).

Although the council currently provides the service it remains the responsibility of parents to ensure the safety of their children travelling to and from school.

2

1.2 Service review

As with other local authorities Croydon Council is facing significant reductions in funding now and in the future and has been identifying efficiencies and savings across all of its services. For the School Crossing Patrol Service this has meant an examination of its costs and potential model for the future. A service review was undertaken and potential inefficiencies were identified in the provision of School Crossing Patrol Officers (SCPO) at automated and zebra crossings, as well as the provision of a service manager in school holiday periods when the service is not provided.

Traffic lights and zebra crossings are assumed to mitigate the risk associated with crossing roads and the provision of a SCPO is an additional safety feature. Due to the need to find savings, the provision of SCPOs as additional pedestrian support can no longer be sustained without evidence of need.

1.3 Road safety

In Croydon, the number of children killed or seriously injured (KSI) in road accidents has fallen from an average of 42 in the late 1990s to 10 in 2011 (the latest available figures), although the trend is very slightly up. Reducing road casualties combines a range of interventions which include road safety education, traffic calming measures and changes in vehicle design and technology. Although the SCP service is included in road safety strategies a specific contribution to reducing road casualties cannot be identified. Data on road accidents in London is collected by the Police and managed by Transport for London for each borough. There is no known correlation between the use of SCPs and trends in road/accidents casualties. Analysis of the location of accidents that resulted in child pedestrian casualties was undertaken and correlated with the location of SCP sites based at automated and zebra crossings.

Between 2010-2012 there were 181 child pedestrian casualties in Croydon.

The majority of child casualties (110) were not associated with school related journeys – they took place outside of the times when children would be travelling to and from school

There have been 2 accidents resulting in a slight injury to 2 children (one in a buggy) in the immediate vicinity of a SCP but not within SCP hours. These were a) 1 year old in a buggy near to zebra crossing on Church Rd (All Saints school) and b) 4 year old near to zebra crossing on Northcote Rd (Broadmead / The Crescent) school). Another accident has recently taken place in Northcote Rd in April 2013, a teenage girl, details unknown, not within SCP hours.

Where SCP sites had been removed previously there have been 3 slight casualties occurring within SCP hours in the last 4 years.

Appendix A provides accident data from TfL.

1.4 Risk Assessment

The ten sites based at lights/crossings were risk assessed using the School Crossing Patrol Service Guidelines which are considered to be best practice although not

3

binding. Each site assessment included a traffic (V) and pedestrian (P) count to calculate a PV² score. This score identifies potential conflict between pedestrians and vehicles with the principle that the higher the activity (pedestrians and vehicles) the higher the risk of accidents. Weightings were then applied for specific site conditions (road type, junctions etc) to arrive at a measure of risk for each site. Key mitigating factors were then added – such as provision of lights, zebra crossings, traffic islands to give a mitigation score. The mitigation scores were applied to the risk scores to provide a re-evaluated risk. Where risks were found to be adequately mitigated to an acceptable point the provision of a SCP at the council’s expense was not seen as a priority. The guidelines state that sites (without traffic lights or a zebra crossing) having fewer than 15 children crossing the road in the busiest 30-minute period should not be considered for establishing an SCP. For the purposes of the review this has been applied to unaccompanied children crossing at lights/zebra crossings.

The guidelines state that a threshold of 4 million PV² is needed before a school crossing patrol could be considered necessary. Where a site is heavily trafficked or deemed potentially dangerous by the nature of the road layout the guidelines allow for non-authorisation of a SCP site. These considerations were then used as the basis for recommendations on the future of the sites.

Sites at traffic lights are considered 100% adequately mitigated – having lights in place reduced the PV² scores to zero. This applies to Elmwood (London Rd), St. John’s and Oasis Academy.

Sites at zebra crossings on classified A, B or C roads are considered 80% adequately mitigated where there are more than 15 unaccompanied children. 100% mitigation can be achieved if other measures are in place (traffic islands, 20 mph zones, speed humps, flashing lights). Raised zebra crossings could be considered as additional safety measures on main roads. This applies to All Saints, Broadmead, Park Hill and Woodside sites.

Sites at zebra crossings on non-classified roads are considered 100% adequately mitigated – this applies to Aerodrome School.

The risk assessment model prioritises sites where road safety risk (after mitigation) is greatest. The recommendations include the need to review signage, traffic calming and provision of road safety training at sites where the SCP may no longer be provided by the council.

Although mitigation measures can be put in place this does not totally eliminate the risk of accidents occurring.

Appendix B provides risk assessment data.

Table 2: Outcomes of risk assessments

Crossing site Comments

Elmwood (London Rd) Traffic lights and traffic island with railings. Near-by junctions controlled by traffic lights. Medium traffic, not constant stream. Class A road.

2 unaccompanied children (below threshold of 15). 51

4


accompanied children.

No SCPO in place since December 2012.

After mitigation PV² score = 0 (under threshold of 4 million needed to justify SCP without crossing control)

Oasis Academy Traffic lights – main and filtered for nearby junction. Traffic island. Heavy traffic. Fire station adjacent. Class A road. 12 unaccompanied children (below threshold of 15). 54 accompanied children. After mitigation PV² score = 0 (under threshold of 4 million needed to justify SCP without crossing control)

St John’s Traffic lights and traffic island. Nearby junctions have speed humps. Heavy traffic. Class A road.

4 unaccompanied children (below threshold of 15). 10 accompanied children.

Secondary school pupils do not use crossing preferring to cross road directly from bus stop.


Aerodrome Zebra crossing. Traffic not heavy and not continuous. Safety railings along footpath.

28 unaccompanied children. 125 accompanied children.

Main issue is poor parking by parents dropping children at school.


All Saints Zebra crossing. Medium traffic, not constant stream. Nearby junction has speed hump and 20 mph. Class A road.


3.5.11: Accident near to zebra crossing (Church Rd/ Upper Beulah Hill) – slight - not within SCP hours – not at crossing – 1 yr old child in buggy.

After mitigation PV² score = 1.6 million (under threshold of 4 million needed to justify SCP without crossing control)

5


Broadmead (Sydenham Rd)

Zebra crossing. Flashing lights. Speed humps. Traffic not continuous. Nearby junction has speed hump. Borough classified road.


After mitigation PV² score = 0 (under threshold of 4 million needed to justify SCP without crossing control).

Broadmead (Northcote Rd)

Also serves The Crescent School.

Zebra crossing. Heavy traffic. Nearby junctions have speed humps. Class A road.


16.3.2012: Accident near to zebra crossing (Northcote Rd / The Crescent) – 4 yr old boy –slight injury – not in SCP hours – not on crossing.

25.4.2013: Accident in vicinity of zebra crossing. Teenage girl. Outcome not known as recent occurrence but not fatal. Not within SCP hours. Not at crossing.

After mitigation PV² score = 10.3 million. However the above accidents did not happen in school crossing patrol hours and the risk assessment sample showed only 2 children were not accompanied by parents.

Park Hill Zebra crossing on roundabout. Traffic island. Heavy traffic. Class A road.



Woodside (Black Horse Lane)

Zebra crossing. Traffic continuous. Downhill and near junction with main road – has slight speed hump. Nearby junction with minor road has speed hump. Borough classified road.

Narrow pavement which can be very crowded in afternoon – due to waiting at zebra crossing.

14 unaccompanied children (just under threshold of 15). 90 accompanied children.

After mitigation PV² score = 2.3 million (under threshold of 4 million needed to justify SCP without crossing control)

Woodside (Morland Rd) Zebra crossing. Traffic island. Traffic continuous. Nearby junctions have speed humps. Class B road.

6




1.5 Feedback

The proposals were included within the budget report agreed by the council on 10 December 2012. A budget engagement exercise was undertaken in January-February 2013 and customers were asked to give their view (in support or against) each proposed option, including school crossing patrols. There has been a great deal of local public interest and protests against the proposed changes. Transparency around the basis for any decisions made has been asked for by many of those who have contacted the council – including the risk assessment results.

Schools: Letters were sent to each school potentially affected by the proposals to disestablish school crossing patrols at automated and zebra crossings. None of them has expressed an interest in buying the service. However a package was not, at that point, provided.

Parents and wider community: Emails, petitions and letters have been received which highlight particular issues. These are summarised below with a suggested response from the council:

ISSUE RESPONSE

Fears that stopping a SCP will reduce road safety

Although there are fears that removing a SCP will inevitably increase accidents or casualties there is no evidence for this, in the same way that there is no evidence that accidents will not take place at sites where a service will continue. The recommendations are consistent with the School Crossing Patrol Service Guidelines which take account of the principal risks and mitigation measures. It is considered that this is a reasonable approach to assessing a discretionary service.

The environment and the health of pupils will be negatively affected because it is feared that the numbers of children walking to school will reduce and car usage will increase

Road safety risk may influence parents/carers to take pupils to school by car. However there are other factors that will also be considered such as distance to travel, vehicle availability, cost, parent travel patterns, the home to school route and individual values. Wider behavioural change messages, both within and outside of school, will continue to highlight the benefits of walking and cycling to school. Walking bus arrangements could benefit

7

ISSUE RESPONSE

from parents/carers who may perceive an increased risk.

A belief that the council is responsible for the safety of children travelling to and from school.

The council has no legal obligation to provide a SCP service. It is wholly discretionary and there is no duty to provide the service in whole or in part. Everyone in the community (motorists, schools, parents, carers etc) has an obligation to support road safety. Parents/carers are responsible for ensuring children in their care are safe when travelling to and from school. The council does have a duty to maintain its highway network in a safe condition as far as reasonably practicable. This is not an ultimate responsibility for the behaviour and safety of all road users, and does not extend to providing a SCP service.

A link to social deprivation and road traffic accidents.

In 2006, the London Road Safety Unit identified a link between children from socially deprived areas and road traffic accidents as these children are more likely to travel as pedestrians and therefore more exposed to risk. It was also noted that as more people are encouraged to walk or cycle that this reduces the inequality in exposure to risk. The report concluded that care is needed when monitoring the relationship between road injury and deprivation within individual London boroughs, due to the relatively small numbers of casualties occurring at this level.

Issues due to gas works at Northcote Rd in February 2013

During February 2013 part of Northcote Road at the zebra crossing was cordoned off due to a gas leak. This had the effect of narrowing the road, causing build-up of vehicles and leading to poor driving by some drivers made impatient by the delays. This did create a serious hazard to pedestrians crossing the road. Once he had been made aware, the SCPO manager assessed the situation and decided that it was dangerous to operate a SCP, as provision of such implies that it is a safe place to cross – which in this case it was not. The crossing was cordoned off

8

ISSUE RESPONSE

as being unsafe. A zebra crossing further up Northcote Road was available for pedestrians to use. This sort of occurrence is an unforeseen event and would not be covered by a general risk assessment.

Appendix C provides a list of feedback received.

1.6 Finance

The Schools Finance (England) Regulations 2008 [Regulation 6(c)] specifically prescribe that the SCP service cannot be funded through the delegated budget. However Lambeth Council, after advice from their legal and financial teams, has used its schools budget to provide a ‘bought-in’ service for the past 3 years as approval by the Board of Governors was sufficient. In addition other sources (such as PTA funding) could be used. There is an option that TfL Local Transport Funding can be used to support each school willing to fund a SCP site – suggested amount is £2k per site. Funding is currently unassigned so this could be feasible. Bromley uses TfL funds to support a traded SCP service.

The SCP budget for 2013/14 is £107,200k with £60k savings target. If the recommendations to disestablish the 10 sites are accepted and put into practice £31,763 savings could be achieved in 2013/14 leaving a pressure of £28,237.

1.7 Legal

Section 270 of the Transport Act 2000 which came into force on 30 January 2001, amended the 1984 regulations to allow SCPs to operate ‘at such times as the Authority thinks fit’. There is no statutory requirement placed upon a local authority to provide a school crossing patrol service. There is discretion but no duty to do so.

There is no criteria set in law which must be applied – the national guidelines are not binding. The council is entitled to determine its own set of criteria to decide whether and if so where SCP services should be made, provided those criteria are reasonable and fit for purpose. It is also entitled to review and alter the criteria. The council is permitted under the Local Authorities Goods and Services Act 1970 to enter into arrangements with schools to provide SCP services and to charge for such services, or recover costs from community schools.

The key issue is that school delegated budgets as described above cannot be specifically 6(c) used for a SCP service. Some of the schools involved have access to different funding streams and hence are not governed by this legislation, thereby allowing them to use their ‘other income’ for example from the Patent Teacher Association or rental income. Lambeth council is operating its SCP provision as a buy-back scheme paid for by the schools. In addition 2 councils, Harrow and Camden, have established SCP sites that are paid privately by the school as these locations would not normally have been established by the council.

The Schools Finance Regulations specifically refer to expenditure within the DSG not being eligible to fund SCPs. Schools do however receive funds from other sources

9

and this can be used at their discretion and would therefore be available to fund SCPs.

1.8 Equalities

The equalities impact analysis focused on the potential adverse impact (potential reduction in road safety) on those groups with protected characteristics. Statistics show that boys are more likely to be involved in road accidents. The school crossing patrol service has mainly been provided near to primary schools, therefore the 4 – 11 age group could be affected more than older school children. Seven children aged 4 were involved in accidents but statistics show that it is the 11 – 13 years age group that is proportionately more at risk. Selhurst ward contains 3 of the SCP sites proposed for closure. The ward has significant areas of deprivation. Although a link has been found between children from socially deprived areas and road traffic accidents it is difficult to monitor the relationship between road injury and deprivation within individual London boroughs, due to the relatively small numbers of casualties occurring at this level. Social deprivation is not included as a protected characteristic within the Equality Act 2010. Identified adverse impacts can be mitigated by recommendations for measures to be taken at sites. Although an adverse impact can be identified the sites do have safety features that are fit for purpose without the presence of a SCPO. Where there are still concerns, further supporting mitigating measures can be introduced or strengthened.

The staff profile indicates that the majority of staff affected by the changes is women, from a White/British background, aged over 57.

Staff

Although nine staff are at risk of redundancy in 2013/14, if the recommendations are approved 8 staff would be made redundant with the remaining staff member being re-deployed to a vacant post. The role of the school crossing patrol manager would reduce to term-time hours.

10

APPENDIX A: ACCIDENT DATA (derived from TfL) Accidents involving child pedestrians in Croydon during weekdays, school crossing patrol times, 2010-12 Date Time Site Age /

gender Level of injury

Comments

02.02.10 15.40 Spring Lane / Woodside Rd

13 / M Slight Not at SCP

12.02.10 15.30 Park Hill Rd / Selbourne Rd

12 / F Slight Not at SCP. Archbishop Tenison.

23.03.10 15.35 King Henry’s Drive / Goldcrest Way

13 / F Slight Not at SCP

15.04.10 15.55 Selhurst Rd / Lawrence Rd


29.04.10 08.00 Pampisford Rd / Elysian Place

13 / F Slight Not at SCP.

30.04.10 15.16 Central Hill / Gibbs Avenue


10.05.10 15.50 Lansdowne Rd / Brighton Rd

11 / F Slight Not at SCP. St Mary’s Primary

18.05.10 15.05 Brading Rd / Rosecourt Rd

15 / M Slight Not at SCP. Archbishop Lanfranc

15.06.10 09.05 Windsor Rd / Apostle Way

9 / M Slight Not at SCP.

30.06.10 15.10 Lacey Drive / Inwood Avenue

14 / M Slight Not at SCP. Oasis Academy

23.07.10 08.09 Church Rd / Forsyte Crescent

13 / F Slight Not at SCP. Harris Academy

08.09.19 08.45 Rockmount Rd / Orleans Rd

4 / F Slight Not at SCP. Rockmount Primary

14.09.10 15.20 Handcroft Rd / London Rd


17.09.10 15.08 Shirley Rd / Elmgrove Rd

12 / M Serious Not at SCP.

21.09.10 08.05 Lacey Drive / Inwood Avenue

12 / M Slight Not at SCP. Oasis Academy

28.09.10 15.58 The Glade / Long Lane 13 / F Slight Not at SCP 29.09.10 08.09 South End / Coombe

Rd 15 / M Slight. Not at SCP. St Mary’s.

14.10.10 16.05 High St /Woodville Rd 5 / M Serious Not at SCP. Near to lights 15.10.10 08.28 Brigstock Rd / London

Rd 11 / F Slight Not at SCP

09.11.10 08.36 Hawthorn Avenue 4 / M Slight Not at SCP 11.11.10 08.35 Kensington Avenue /

Norbury Avenue 12 / F Slight Not at SCP. Norbury

Manor Girls. 07.12.10 16.09 Windmill Rd / St

James’ Park 9 / M Slight Not at SCP

09.12.10 08.00 Thornton Rd / Gonville Rd

12 / M Slight Not at SCP. Archbishop Lanfranc

23.11.10 15.30 Shirley Rd / Lwr Addiscombe Rd


25.11.10 08.49 Melfort Rd / Sandfield Rd

4 / M Slight Not at SCP. Winterbourne Primary.

11

Date Time Site Age / gender

Level of injury

Comments

03.01.11 15.21 Horsley Drive / Dunsfold Way

10 / M Slight Not at SCP. Poss xmas hols.

25.01.11 15.11 Brighton Rd / Warham Rd

12 / F Slight Not at SCP. St Thomas More.

26.01.11 08.28 Stafford Rd 13 / M Slight Not at SCP. St Andrew’s. 09.02.11 08.43 Hayes Lane/Godstone

Rd 10 / M Serious Not at SCP. Adult ped.

also hurt. Roke Primary. 01.03.11 09.06 Cypress Rd 4 / M Slight Not at SCP 28.03.11 08.30 Beulah Hill / Spurgeon

Rd 12 / F Slight Not at SCP

29.03.11 16.15 Selsdon Park Rd/ Featherbed Lane

14 / F Slight Not at SCP. Near to lights.

05.04.11 15.41 Woodside Green / Stroud Rd

12 / F Slight Not at SCP. Oasis Academy.

06.05.11 16.05 Brigstock Rd 12 / M Slight Not at SCP. Near to lights 24.05.11 15.24 Barmouth Rd / Spring

Park Rd 13 / M Slight Not at SCP. Shirley High.

27.05.11 09.00 Upper Beulah Hill / Beulah Hill

9 / F Slight Not at SCP. All Saints.

09.06.11 15.20 Brighton Rd / Smitham Downs

15 / F Slight Not at SCP. Near to zebra. Woodcote High.

04.07.11 08.42 Bensham Lane / Queen’s Rd


05.07.11 15.20 Station Rd / Wellesley Rd


07.09.11 09.10 Ladbrook Rd / Ross Rd


03.10.11 08.45 Thomson Crescent / Euston Rd


07.10.11 08.20 Foxley Lane 13 / M Serious Not at SCP. Playing on pavement, stumbled onto road.

09.11.11 08.10 Lwr Addiscombe Rd / Ashling Rd

13 / M Slight Not at SCP. Near to zebra.

14.11.11 08.39 Arnhem Drive / Salcot Crescent

15 / F Slight Not at SCP. Addington High.

24.11.11 08.41 Courtwood Lane / Bardolph Avenue

4 / M Slight Not at SCP. Courtwood Primary.

07.12.11 15.43 The Glade / Homer Rd 11 / F Slight Not at SCP 09.12.11 08.40 Brighton Rd / Warham

Rd 10 / M Serious Not at SCP. Purley Oaks

Primary. 09.12.11 15.30 Park Hill Rd /

Selbourne Rd 12 / F Slight Not at SCP.

14.12.11 08.50 Wickham Rd / Wickham Avenue


14.12.11 15.50 Selsdon Park Rd / Farnborough Avenue

11 / F Slight Not at SCP. Quest Academy

20.12.11 09.00 Handcroft Rd / Sumner Rd

11 / M Slight Not at SCP. Near pedestrian crossing. Winterbourne Junior.

26.01.12 15.20 Selhurst Rd / Dagnall Park


12

Date Time Site Age / gender

Level of injury

Comments

27.01.12 08.40 Norbury Crescent / St Helens Rd


30.01.12 16.10 Pampisford Rd / Christchurch Rd


03.02.12 16.15 Devonshire Rd / Whitehorse Rd

9 / F Serious Not at SCP. Playing, pushed into road

22.03.12 08.20 Farley Rd / Addington Rd

10 / M Slight Not at SCP. Selsdon Primary.

27.03.12 08.40 Bensham Lane / Mayday Rd


16.04.12 15.00 Albert Rd / Belmont Rd 11 / F Slight Not at SCP 30.04.12 16.00 S. Norwood Rd /

Whitehorse Lane 3 / M Serious Not at SCP. Near to

lights. 30.04.12 16.00 Brighton Rd /

Montpelier Rd 3 / F Serious Not at SCP.

24.05.12 15.04 Headley Drive / Thursley Crescent

11 / M Slight Not at SCP. Half term?

29.05.12 15.35 Wellesley Rd / Newgate

14 / M Slight Not at SCP. St Mary’s

30.05.12 15.10 Pampisford Rd / Waldorf Close


10.07.12 15.55 Portland Rd / Apsley Rd


13.07.12 16.06 Heath Rd / Parchmore Rd


16.07.12 15.28 Park Hill Rd / Selbourne Rd

11 / M Serious Not at SCP. Archbishop Tenison.

16.07.12 15.30 Peaks Hill / Peaks Hill Rise


02.10.12 15.37 Foxley Lane / Woodcote Rd


08.10.12 08.36 Penge Rd / Sunny Bank

15 / F Slight Not at SCP. Near to zebra. Harris Academy

08.10.12 08.50 Gonville Rd / Limpsfield Avenue


30.11.12 08.30 George St / Wellesley Rd

12 / M Slight Not at SCP. Near to lights

Accidents involving child pedestrians in Croydon during weekdays, not in school crossing patrol times, 2010-12 Date Time Site Age /

gender Level of injury

Comments

03.05.11 16.50 Upper Beulah Hill /Church Rd

1 / F Slight Being pushed across road in buggy. Within 50 m of crossing. Not in SCP hours.

16.03.12 12.05 The Crescent / Northcote Rd

4 / F Slight Within 50 m of crossing. Not in SCP hours.

30.05.12 14.33 Beulah Hill / Upper Beulah Hill

12 / M Serious Not at SCP. Not in SCP hours

13

Appendix C: Public Feedback

Emails

GENERAL

1.

Croydon Council estimates cuts to school crossing patrols will help it save around £66,000 which is

peanuts for our Council as it looks forward to moving into its new purpose built Taberner House. Is this a

price worth paying for our childrens' safety ‐ of course it is not ‐ in fact we need more Lollipop ladies and

gents. We should replace them at crossings where they once were.

From concerned Grandparents whose grandchildren attend Riddlesdown Collegiate and Greenvale

Primary school.

2.

Greetings – Reference your article and campaign to continue the valuable work done by lollipop ladies –

the solution is simple and obvious.

There must be hundreds of parents who have the time, ability and willingness to devote a couple of

hours a week to cover these duties as a team of volunteers. It isn’t rocket science after all – and they

would be helping each other.

3.

It has been an ongoing thing that the lollipop ladies have provided a safe crossing place for our children

whilst going to school. They ensure that our children reach the playground safely and also that they do

not get hit whilst travelling into school. Many of the drivers are safe on the road and although it is only

a minority that do not pay due care whilst driving, we do not want to risk our children falling foul of the

few bad ones. It is therefore essential to keep our children safe and this can be done, in many cases, by

keeping the ones that watch out for them when we cannot due to work.

Please do not wait for one of our children to be killed before you realise that taking away these people

that help our children to cross safely was a mistake and be re‐instated. Thank you for your due

consideration in this matter.

4.

The council's approach on this matter is wholly unsatisfactory and is purely based on saving money. The

welfare of local children should be a higher priority for the council.

I would ask the MP to find out whether the council have carried out risk assessments or considered the

impact of cutting the service in terms of child safety, traffic congestion and the environment. It is also

unclear how the proposals meet their general duty to promote road safety through specific measures.

Have the council looked at traffic volume or carried out any pedestrian crossings surveys that gauge the

conflict between pedestrians and vehicles? Have they considered the difficulty that pedestrians face

from traffic speed and volumes when the lollipop ladies are not around? Have they considered the time

pedestrians must wait before they can cross or any personal injury accident records indicating how many

14

accidents occur and noting those that involve pedestrian? Croydon council statistics indicate that the

majority of children killed or injured on our roads were pedestrians.’

WOODSIDE SCHOOL

1.

Mr Barwell, happy new year, i hope you and your family had a very Christmas. I am a parent of two

children at Woodside Primary School, Morland Road, Croydon. As you know following your recent visit

Morland Road which the school is on and Blackhorse Lane which runs along the side of the school are

very busy roads. However we have learnt this week that the School Crossing Patrol Officers, our

Lollypop Ladies have been given notice of a 90 day consultation period with a meeting scheduled for next

week and that in all likely hood their positions will cease to exist.

I cannot express to you my shock and anger at such a decision, Sharon (Blackhorse Lane Lollypop Lady)

and Eve (Morland Road) do such a wonderful jobs.

My daughters and i cross Blackhorse Lane with Sharon everyday, the sharp bend that comes from

Woodside Green in Blackhorse Lane is so very dangerous, drivers come round there at such a speed that

at times Sharon has nearly been hit by cars, i am in no doubt that were she not there there would be an

accident.

As you know Woodside is a primary school with children up to year 6, many of whom travel to school

with no adult supervision. I am greatly concerned for their saftey when crossing Blackhorse Lane should

Sharon not be there to assist them.

The route is also used by pupils of St Thomas Beckett and Oasis Academy, many of the older children

who walk to school indepently use music players whilst walking to school and i am very concerned about

the safety of these children crossing such a road at peak times, Sharon helps everyone.

I hope you can see from my email that Sharon and Eve are not just Lollypop Ladies they are very much

part of our school community and we will do all we can to support them and try to prevent them ebing

removed. I understand that the government is in difficult financial circumstances and that cuts need to

be made but at what real cost?

Sharon earns £352 a month, is this amount of money not money well spent if it ensures the safety of our

children? I cannot speak on behalf of the school, although i have spoken to Ms R Byrne and Mr N Ttofias

the deputy heads and they are both shocked by the decision and i have discussed starting a petition with

them. I was wondering if you were aware of the decisions that are being made and your opinion on

them?

2.

My son attends Woodside Primary School in Morland Road, Croydon and we use the patrolled crossing in Blackhorse Lane daily. Having lollipop ladies patrolling the crossings, both in Blackhorse Lane and Morland Road, is critical to child (and parent) road safety during the morning and afternoon rush hours. Parents and carers make a point of using the patrolled crossing without which they might cross at any point on what are very busy and, in particular Blackhorse Lane, narrow roads. I am concerned that without their presence, the risk of an accident involving a child would be greatly increased. I understand that the council needs to make budgetary cuts but road safety must surely be an area of last resort.

15

3.

I am writing to express my concern about the fact that Croydon council are getting rid of the two lollipop

ladies at Woodside primary school. My son is a pupil at Woodside in year 4. The lollipop ladies are

employed at a low cost to the council on part time wages. Their wages represent a small faction of the

council budget compared to for example the salary of the chief executive of the council or the

allowances paid to local councillors.

They perform a key function of providing safety to young children at a very busy junction where 3 roads

intersect, where people double park on yellow lines ( with no visible enforcement by Croydon council),

with the addition of many non school visitors using the two crossings and the services of the lollipop

ladies to use the nearby Blackhorse Lane tram stop. They are a vital part of the school community and

getting rid of them creates a danger to my child and the other children who use the two crossing.

On a day in the last few weeks the lollipop ladies were both ill. There was a visible difference in the

ability of children to cross the road safely particularly as cars were less likely to stop. It must also be

noted that a number of buses such as the 197, 312 an 130 all use Morland road and therefore unlike

certain roads, the type of traffic using this road is very heavy. This is not a quiet backroad. If the lollipop

ladies are sacked then it will not be long before a child is killed or seriously injuried outside Woodside

school.

As a council taxpayer I would urge you to rethink the council's proposal which is not in the best interests

of the children of Woodside school.

4.

Hi, I have read the newsletter from my daughter's school Woodside on Morland Road and was appalled

to hear lollipop ladies might be under threat. I oppose this government on every poorly informed

decision it makes which attacks the most vulnerable adults and children in our society. This is another

action albeit at a local level that will affect those unable to speak up.

I live on Morland Road and can tell you that the road is used as a race track. I regularly have to dodge

cars, buses and taxis on the crossings and when I am with my daughter I am terrified of us being hit.

Lollipop ladies are essential to keeping children safe at key times and provide a highly visible presence.

I am skeptical of how this would save money and would urge a rethink. Surely a child's life is worth more

than the possible savings?

5.

I am writing to you about the proposed plans to stop having crossing staff at Woodside Primary School.

Both zebra crossings are very busy particularly in the morning times, they are both at junctions and

drivers are often concentrating on other road traffic not pedestrians I have personally had a near miss

when a car tried to overtake a bus which had stopped to let me cross, this sort of bad driving happens

often, particularly at peak times when every one is in a hurry and drivers are often reluctant to stop.

Having dedicated crossing staff helps enormously in getting drivers to obey the crossing markings,

it enables parents to allow their slightly older children freedom to go to school independently and it

helps young children learn about safe road crossing. Please reconsider this proposal. Surely the saving of

a mere £600 a month is not worth risking children's safety?

16

6.

I know there is some question of our school losing the services of the two lollipop ladies.

I don’t know if you are aware of the very dangerous, usual road traffic situations where the two ladies

keep the children and parents safe. The Moreland road is an extremely busy ‘ bus route and at times

they compete for narrow lanes with HGVs and private cars. The bend at one corner of the school is a

major turning for all traffic which further presents considerable difficulties in crossing the road despite

the presence of a crossing.

During the entering and leaving school – and please bear in mind we encourage as many as possible to

walk to school – there is a total of about 930 children. Admittedly not all of them need to cross one of

the two roads but a very substantial number do.. I am concerned that one reaction from parents

deprived of the crossing safeguard supplied by the lollipop ladies will result in our encouragement of

parents allowing children to walk being replaced by an ever increasing number of children being driven

to school and therefore resulting in roads already difficult in traffic volume becoming substantially

increased with the consequent difficulties in crossing and traffic movement resulting in possible

accidents.

I know that occasionally both our main lollipop ladies have been struck by vehicles ignoring their

management of children crossing and I have no doubts that at some time we will see children both

unaccompanied and with parents/carers suffering either frightening near misses or being struck directly

themselves.

There is a proper emphasis on making children/parents/carers feel safe and the school sees the lollipop

ladies as doing an essential part. The Governing Body of Woodside School asks that careful

consideration be given to any plans to dispense with the invaluable services these lollipop ladies provide.

7 & 8 (2 emails with this wording received).

I am writing to express my support for the two School Crossing Patrols in Addiscombe/Woodside ‐ on Morland Road and Blackhorse lane.

Whilst both patrols are at zebra crossings these are no guarantee of cars stopping, as there have been tragic accidents there. Despite this, children have faith that cars will stop for them on a zebra crossing. Furthermore, Morland road has many bus routes, frequent heavy goods vehicles and emergency services increasing the danger for children crossing on their own Morland Road zebra crossing is between two busy junctions, as does Blackhorse lane. Cars speed around the corners not considering that there is a zebra crossing almost adjacent. Both our School crossing persons work above and beyond the call of duty, watching out to ensure children are safe crossing nearby roads as well as their own zebra crossings. Both SCPs know the local community well and will prevent children who have run ahead crossing without their parents. They are loved by all the children, as demonstrated by the amount of gifts and cards given at Christmas and Easter. SCPs are a key component of encouraging more children to walk to school. This short sighted cut will only lead to more parents getting in their cars, increasing traffic and negatively impacting on road safety, the environment and health. I urge the council to reconsider this shortsighted move. It will save a relatively small amount of money but could well have wide ranging unintended consequences.

17

9.

I have recently signed a petition to try and save our lollipop ladies. Whilst I appreciate that the council

has to make cutbacks at times I am alarmed that it has to be at the expense of our children’s safety. I

think that the location and size of Woodside School make it very necessary to have the two lollipop

ladies in place.

Firstly, Woodside is a ‘4’ form entry – it is a larger than average school therefore there are significantly

more children having to use Morland Road and Blackhorse Lane to access the school. Our lollipop ladies

do a sterling job of not only keeping traffic moving but ensuring that the children get across the road

safely to school. Those roads are incredibly busy and on the odd occasion when the lollipop ladies are

not there (due to illness), drivers become very impatient and are inclined to compete very dangerously

with the children as to who gets across first.

Money has been spent on ‘road safety’ books for our children but yet the road safety message is so

easily reinforced by the lollipop ladies. They become our friends and look out for our children, alerting

teachers when children may become separated from their parents after school. They are role models

and provide a vital service to the community, the lack of community often being the source of so many

problems within our large borough.

It just does not seem to make any economic and social sense to take away their jobs and I am afraid that

if you do decide to get rid of the lollipop ladies then it will only be a matter of time before a child is

seriously injured if not killed on those roads. The lollipop ladies are on the roads from 8.45am to 9.15am

and from 3.00pm to 3.30pm daily. That is such a short space of time but so vital as the roads are

incredibly busy. To compound issues there is a snack bar right next to Morland Road where some

children grab a quick breakfast before school, hence there tends to be a large congregation of children

there who can and most times do suddenly decide to cross to the road all at once. The lollipop lady in

place is quick at giving instruction to the children, getting them to behave in an orderly fashion and it is a

smooth operation. My son also points out that many children in Years 5 & 6 are allowed to go home by

themselves, this is a big step for them and the lollipop ladies ensures that their journey home begins

safely.

Rather than making a blanket cut across the borough, I do urge you to consider the role of each lollipop

person and the environment within which they work. Why not come down to the school and see for

yourself, meet the head teacher and talk to the children. Be accountable! Make us feel that you have

listened to our concerns.

10.

Further to my email yesterday i would say the school crossing patrol people should actually be there for

longer, I happened to come 10 mins earlier before pick up and a Bus didn't stop whilst i was crossing

with my 3 year old, the first side of the crossing a car stopped but not the bus, its only by sheer luck we

were not hit.Many parents turn up earlier and without the crossing people the cars just dont care.

Totally disgusting that it even being considered removing these people.

18

11.

Thank you very much for your reply. As you can imagine parents, teachers and children are all very

concerned about losing such a valuable resource for our community. The lolly pop ladies know a lot of us

by name and know the children who walk themselves to school by name too. Although I drop my

children to school before coming to work everyday, I am very aware that there are quite a few children

the same age as my eldest daughters that get themselves to school. Morland Road is an extremely busy

road and the junction for Blackhorse lane can be hazardous. Especially with buses, lorrys and works

vehicles and it being a main route in to Croydon.

I completely understand the need to make cuts due to budgets and cost saving exercises, however

losing our crossing patrol ladies could be a lot more costly. Please do keep us informed of any progress.

12.

Dear Woodside councillors,

There is great concern in Woodside about the removal of the lovely lollipop ladies from the two zebra

crossing outside the school, one in Morland Raod and the other in Blackhorse lane.This is a very busy

junction and it is hectic with traffic particularly at the times the hundreds of children are going to and

coming from school. It is absolutely crazy not to have a school patrol crossing here and it is bound to

lead to many accidents. What the lollypop ladies earn is peanuts, £350 a month is quoted in one

newspaper.

When I think of the terrible waste of council money probably millions in the disaster of doing up

Addiscombe footpaths outside the shops. My husband was a paviour and he were amazed that the work

was being carried out at all as there was no need for it. But the worst thing was that one side of the road

after completion was dug up again and had to be redone as it was not done to the correct specifications!

The shopkeepers on that side complained about it and it had to be redone. That was a disgrace and

there was no publicity about it. I wish I had complained about that terrible, terrible waste of money

before now. It was like throwing council tax money away.

One can not compare that waste of public money to the small sums involved in paying the lollipop

ladies . As Woodside councillors are you doing anything to stop this before someone is killed.

OASIS ACADEMY SHIRLEY PARK

1.

Hello, I hope you can help. I understand that the council is thinking of cutting the post of Pauline, the

lollipop lady who works on Long Lane by the fire station. I am a mother of a child at Oasis Shirley Park

and I would be grateful if you could pass on to the decision makers in this case that I would strongly

object to this post being cut. I think the lollipop lady is essential to our children being able to get to

school safely, and with the new annex due to open on the other side of the road this is only getting more

important. Please keep Pauline on for the sake of our children's safety.

2.

I understand that you will be meeting with the lollypop lady from Oasis Academy Shirley Park Primary

Phase on Monday 14th January 2013 to discuss whether or not her position is to be continued. I write

to you to show my support for Pauline as a valued and much needed member of staff. The road which

19

she watches is a very busy junction for traffic. As you are surely aware of the planned expansion of the

school; which will see it split over two sites in the future more children will be using this crossing. It is

unfortunate that parents have not been kept informed of the councils intentions by neither school nor

the local authority, but the responsibility of both is to put the welfare of the children first. By cutting this

important post neither will be doing so.

I hope that this will be taken into consideration and that an intelligent decision is reached.

3.

I understand that you are meeting with Mrs Ecott on Monday, to inform her of her possibly redundancy.

I would like to take this opportunity to voice my concern at the 'funding cuts' at the cost of our children's

safety. As a mother of a child attending Oasis Academy Shirley Park, I would plead that you do not

remove our lollipop lady but rather consider the children at our school who would be affected by these

cuts. Our school has recently been bullied by the council (or so it would seem) into DOUBLING our school

intake ‐ increasing the number of pupils from around 400 to around 800 over the coming years. A new

school will be built across the road from the current school and therefore the vast majority of parents

and children will have to cross this busy road in order to pick up siblings from two different sites. This

annex is in no way supported by parents and we are already frustrated by the prospect of our school

having to house twice the number of students. To then be informed that we will probably also loose our

lollipop lady at a time when she will be needed more than ever before, instills a total lack of respect and

trust in our council and their disregard of their future generation of citizens.

Please take into consideration the vast numbers of children who will need to cross this busy junction ‐

situated next to the fire station, with the potential of emergency vehicles coming and going. Without the

aid of a lollipop lady at this crossing, the possible injury or death of a child is inevitable. Surely this must

provide enough reason to continue paying the meager wage of £300 per month for our lollipop lady.

I do hope that you will consider these concerns.

4.

Re: Pauline Lollipop Lady at Oasis Primary

I would like to express my disappointment and complete shock at hearing pauline, a much valued lady

who helps to keep our children safe on a very busy corner.

I wonder has anyone from the decision making office actually visited this site at the beginning or end of

the school day? Also it seems extremely short sighted with

the comming expansion of Oasis Primary , especially as the other site is the other side of this junction!

We are led to believe as parents that our opinion counts and

we are all part of a team to support our children while they learn, but isn't their safety while trying to get

to school or return home a fundamental part of this?

5.

As an involved parent and a member of the Academy Council, I am very concerned to learn that we may

be losing our crossing attendant at Oasis Academy Shirley Park. I fail to see how this position is not

considered essential, when it involves helping children and families with the safe crossing of an

increasingly busy road. Not only does Pauline help with crossing this busy road, she also provides a

reminder to both pedestrians and drivers that they need to be careful and road/pedestrian aware. I can

20

understand the perception that where there are traffic lights children will be safe. However drivers still

try to jump these lights with a crossing attendant present; without one it will be more likely and

therefore more dangerous.

Also I wonder how carefully this has been thought through. We are a school that is very likely to be

expanding from this coming September. This means that we will have 60 extra 4/5 year olds starting in

the coming school year, and an extra 60 each following year until we are fully 4 form entry. In years to

come our primary school will function over 2 sites – the existing site on Long Lane and a new site on

Stroud Green‐ with parents needing to drop children off at both sites, crossing this busy road in order to

do so.

It is also worth considering that if more parents were sure of their children’s safety, the numbers of

children walking to school may increase. In the same thought we may find more parents driving to school

if there is no crossing attendant present for this busy road. If the cutting of this post goes ahead I believe

it will show a disregard for the safety of our children; one of society’s most vulnerable groups.

I hope these points will be considered and look forward to hearing from you regarding this matter.

6.

My email to you is short and to the point. The safety of our children in and around school is equally

important to us as parents as our children's education itself. Getting rid of the Oasis lollipop lady Pauline

is not by any means prudent especially when you consider the plans to expand Oasis over two sites.

Increased traffic and more children surely calls for greater safety measures NOT less. Pauline provides a

huge service not just to the Oasis children but also to the wider community in general. Please let our

children's safety ultimately guide the decision that you make.

7.

I am writing to express my concern at the potential loss of the Lollipop lady for Oasis Academy: Primary

Phase. I am a parent of a child who attends the above school. I walk everyday and I feel very strongly

that the presence of a lollipop lady helps to keep the children safe while promoting good road safety.

Our current Lollipop lady, Pauline Ecott, is a well known face around the school and a big part of the

Oasis Academy Community. She has prevented my youngest child from stepping into the road on one

occasion, for which I will always be grateful for. She is conscientious in her work and has taught even me

things about how to be more road safe with my children.

Oasis Academy is in a low socio economic area, the presence of a lollipop lady to encourage good road

safety practice is essential, in my opinion. What she does is more than get our children from one side of

the rad to the other safely. She informs and educates, she provides good role modelling for the children

and the parents. Everyone has the opportunity to learn from her. Often parents don't always behave in

the best interests of their children, and I frequently observe other parents crossing the road dangerously

with their children (either by walking through stationary traffic or not waiting for a green man) when I

am out and about in Croydon. I am particularly concerned that with the planned expansion of the

primary phase the children will be at much greater risk as their parents may have to drop off and collect

their children from two different sites.

21

I foresee the council eating their words when a road tragedy occurs. Lets avoid a "hindsight" situation

and make a the right decision now to keep a member of staff present at the road to keep our children

safe. You only need to look at the statistics on children killed on our roads to see what needs to be done.

8.

I recently found out that mrs Ecott, the lollypop lady that works at the junction of Long lane and Spring

lane may be out of a job. She is a much needed member of the community that she serves. Many drivers

ignore the filter lights at this junction and without our lollypop lady many more chldren could be injured.

9.

I understand from Pauline that the council are making cuts to all lollipop ladies across the borough who

are at traffic lights. If I'm being honest I do get that so why don't they put Pauline on the ZEBRA crossing

on Spring lane just round the corner from the school. It's NOT a safe place to cross at the moment,

children are always running into the road and cars are always tooting. Deploying her there might actually

be more prudent in terms of child safety and traffic control. It's perhaps something that could be

investigated as an alternative to Pauline losing her job ‐ she wants to work, she wants to keep out

children safe.

10.

Firstly, I would like to apologise for the grammatical structure of my English. English is not my first

language so hopefully it would be understandable to you. I am writing to you because sadly we heard

that our school will loose Pauline as a lollypop lady because of a lack of the borough funding.

The news is quite astonishing ,considering that the school is expanding and will be on two sites.

Therefore more children from junior will have to join the school on their own, if the mother has to drop

siblings on the primary site, the current abandoned old lodge. Pauline is an amazing person, beside

being a lollypop lady, she is 'an active member of the community, helping on fairs and events.

My children and I, really hope that the council would consider keeping Pauline's position.

11.

Hi ‐ Would just like to say Please keep our Lollipop lady at long lane lights to help keep our kids safe.

Thanks

12.

This morning I witnessed yet another near miss at the junction of Long lane and Spring Lane. I was

standing by the fire station exit watching my year 6 child cross with Pauline our lollipop lady, at the

crossing on the junction of Long Lane and Spring Lane, giving her a little Independence before the move

to secondary school, a white van who had at least 20 yards to stop, continued at speed, at went through

a red light, a child crossing on their own without a crossing attendant could have stepped out thinking it

was safe to cross, without Pauline in attendence I would not allow my child to have that independence

that is so needed as part of the transition to secondary school.

I have been making that journey to school with my children for the past 18 years, I was part of the

committee that campaigned to get a crossing attendant for this junction, after many near misses and if I

remember rightly an incident when a child was taken by ambulance to hospital. The number of times

22

that traffic turning left from Spring Lane into Long Lane jump the lights thinking the change of filter to

go right is their chance to go left, would need several pairs of hands to count on. I have witnessed cars

turning left at that corner to find our crossing attendant in the road and our children crossing, would

they be so aware of a single child or children with parents crossing, who do not have the high visibilty

equipment crossing attendants do, I don't believe so.

The location is only safe to cross with an attendant and as there is no other safe crossing to cross Long

Lane to get to school and home I am dismayed that losing the crossing attendant at this location is even

being considered. It is not a straight forward crossing there is not just the filter light problem, it is a T

junction of two busy roads with the additional factor of the Fire Station exit meeting at the junction.

As of September 2013 there will be even more flow of children and parents crossing Long Lane as the

spilt of the primary school onto two sites on either side of Long Lane (a main road which runs through

into Croydon Town Centre), is going ahead. Meaning Oasis Academy will cover four different sites

therefore, the necessity of a crossing attendant is even more essential.

Can I suggest that you discuss your up coming plans with the Oasis management and staff at all sites so

they can give their opinion and also let all parents know what is being intended so everyone has the

opportunity to voice their opinions/concerns, also an observation by your department of the crossing in

action should be made if this has not already been arranged, to get a true understanding of the situation.

I understand that in the economic climate we are living in savings need to be made, but, not at the price

of the safety of our children.

13.

I would like to express my concern over the proposed removal of the School Crossing Patrol at the Long

Lane traffic lights.

Mrs Ecott has worked on the Crossing for over 14 years and in my opinion done a fantastic job. She has

on many occasion stopped children running across the road when inconsiderate drivers have not

observed the filter lights together with jumping the lights.

The other concerns I have is that the Fire Station is still regularly used and she is very aware from her

long experience of how to protect not only the children but the adult users of the crossing whilst she is

on duty when the emergency vehicles drive out at a speed. Also, as you are aware Oasis Academy

Shirley Park are possibly expanding from next year and this is potentially bringing another 400 children to

the area that will need to use the crossing during the day.

Long Lane is a heavily used road and many of the drivers are very inconsiderate and want to get through

the lights quickly without Mrs Ecott being in attendance there is potentially a higher rate of accidents

and even fatalities. I would be very grateful if the council when making their final decision please

reconsider Mrs Ecotts position and reinstate her crossing patrol at the Long Lane junction. Thank you in

advance of your consideration.

14.

I am writing to you to express how sad I am to hear that there is a plan to take away our lolly pop lady.

This is really sad firstly because the road she works on is particularly busy with traffic from many

different directions. Also there are many older children around at that time of day and our lolly plays an

23

important part in making our children feel safe. a friendly face and someone to go to outside of school is

very important as well. Finally our Lolly pop lady is a very important part of our school communitee and

gives up her time to help support many key school events.

15.

I will like to use this medium to express my thoughts and objection to the recent redundancy of our

lollipop lady. Pauline has been a great lady who ensures the children are safe on the road when crossing.

My thoughts are that the cost of maintaining the safety of our children on such a busy road is very

important and children will be at risk when the road is left bare.

I understand that one of the reasons for making her redundant is that there is a pedestrian crossing. But

I must say that just seeing her there puts drivers on guard and helps to ensure they keep to the rules

which then ensures our children are safe.

Most of the children attending Oasis primary school live around the neighbourhood and are encouraged

to walk to school. There has also been news about expansion to the school and I believe that if this is to

take place successfully, parents will like to see that the school has adequate facilities to support children

both in school and out.

I hope my opinion along with several others sent on this issue is put into consideration when reviewing

previous the decisions taken.

THE CRESCENT/BROADMEAD

1.

I am a Selhurst resident and Parent Governor at the Crescent Primary School. After realising that our two

local SCPs were under threat of redundancy ‐ on Northcote and Sydenham Roads (Linda Conn and Robert

Boyle) ‐ I have been in contact with the press (Croydon Guardian, Evening Standard and BBC Radio

London) garnering strong support for their retention.

Many parents would like their views on this to be heard, and I was wondering who at Croydon council they should contact in order to be listened to?

2 – 5 (4 copies of this email received)

I am writing to express my support for the two School Crossing Patrols in Selhurst ‐ Linda Conn on Northcote Road and Robert Boyle on Sydenham Road.

Whilst both patrols are at zebra crossings these are no guarantee of cars stopping, as the tragic accident in 2008 on Whitehorse Road zebra crossing sadly demonstrated. Despite this, children have faith that cars will stop for them on a zebra crossing.

Furthermore,

Northcote Road has two bus routes, frequent heavy goods vehicles and emergency services increasing the danger for children crossing on their own

24

Northcote Road zebra crossing is between two busy junctions, Sydenham Road zebra crossing is by one busy junction. Cars speed around the corners not considering that there is a zebra crossing almost adjacent.

Both Robert and Linda work above and beyond the call of duty, watching out to ensure children are safe crossing nearby roads as well as their own zebra crossings.

Both SCPs know the local community well and will prevent children who have run ahead crossing without their parents.

They are loved by all the children, as demonstrated by the amount of gifts and cards given at Christmas and Easter. Robert and Linda even reciprocate with sweets for the children!

SCPs are a key component of encouraging more children to walk to school. This short sighted cut will only lead to more parents getting in their cars, increasing traffic and negatively impacting on road safety, the environment and health.

I urge the council to reconsider this shortsighted move. It will save a relatively small amount of money but could well have wide ranging unintended consequences.

6.

As Chair of Governors of Broadmead Primary School, I am writing to you to urge you to reconsider the proposal to end crossing patrols at several local schools, including Broadmead and The Crescent.

There’s no point in me repeating the many comments opposing the proposal which have already appeared in the local press, as I agree with them. I would instead like to comment on your remarks quoted in the Croydon Advertiser two weeks ago.

“What we have said is that those that have pelican crossings and zebra crossings – is there really a need to continue [patrols]?”

I believe that a lollipop person ensures safer crossing. To quote from the website of Road Safety GB, “the law states that as soon as a patrol raises their sign, even if they have not stepped into the road, drivers must be prepared to stop”, whereas (as far as I know), a pedestrian on an unmanned crossing has right of way only once they steps onto a crossing. A lollipop person is far harder for a motorist to ignore than lights at pelican crossings, or people at zebra crossings (which is all we have at Broadmead, and for that matter The Crescent).

"Clearly there is not a need at every primary school to have a lollipop man, otherwise all 80 or 90 primary schools would have them, despite your campaign."

I suggest that the issue is not about schools which lack manned crossings (though many of these may deserve them). It is about those which currently stand to lose them.

"I can give examples of places where we have lollipop people and know for a fact that parents don't cross where the lollipop man is; they cross further up or down the road.”

I don’t know which schools you are referring to. I know only that the crossings in Sydenham Road and Northcote Road, serving Broadmead and The Crescent, are heavily used. Of course some people going to Broadmead cross elsewhere (some don’t need to cross Sydenham Road to get there). By contrast, some children attending Broadmead need to use the Northcote Road crossing as well; abolition of the patrol will mean their safety is affected not once on each journey, but twice.

"A lollipop man not long ago said to me, 'I can fully understand why you don't want lollipop people, why it is necessary to have lollipop people on pedestrian crossings and zebra crossings?’ And the vast majority of the public see that as well.”

25

I am very dubious to hear that the vast majority of the public feel this way. I suggest that the Council needs to show the evidence for this statement. "The vast majority of parents take primary school children to school themselves and cross safely".

I can’t comment on schools in general, but I am confident that parents and carers at Broadmead who take their children across the crossing (in many cases, of necessity, taking babies/young children in buggies) can currently do so safely – because the crossing is manned.

"Road safety is a priority to us – many other boroughs have got rid of lollipop people many years ago, while others delegated it to the schools many years ago."

I am relieved that Croydon still has at least some lollipop people, and I hope it will not follow the lead of boroughs who have got rid of them.

I was pleased, up to a point, to read the paper’s statement: “The council is considering delegating responsibility and money for the patrols to schools, so they can then decide themselves whether to invest in crossing patrols.” However, I have serious concerns about the concept of the school being responsible for managing safety on the road, which is by definition outside the school premises. As delegating funding would have no effect on the amount funded by the Council, I suggest the best approach would be to leave the arrangement exactly as it is.

On Thursday Feb 28th, I did a spot check of the number of people using the crossing in Sydenham Road at the morning peak time. There were 180 people in 15 minutes, or (over a slightly longer period) 210 in 20 minutes. I estimate that 90% of these people were crossing to school (as opposed to other members of the public). I did my best to single count, so the total does not reflect the return trip by many of the parents/carers who went into school with their children.

I fervently hope that the Council will abandon their proposal now. Failing this, I suggest as follows: ‐The public deserve to have details of the decision process which led to school crossings, and in particular Broadmead and The Crescent, being selected as targets for savings, in contrast to any other candidates. ‐The Advertiser article on Feb 1 said that accident and risk assessment data would be used to inform the final decision. The public are entitled to have sight of the process and criteria for the risk assessment, before it happens, and of the documented outcome of the risk assessment when it has been completed. I will be copying this to the councillors for Selhurst Ward and to Steve Reed MP, as the elected representatives for the area which includes the school, many of the familes affected, and myself as a resident.

7..

Further to this, I have just seen a recent BBC programme (Bang goes the theory) which included an item

arguing that children are less able to quickly judge accurately the speed of a vehicle approaching them.

The programme summarised the conclusions of a study by Professor John Wann of Royal Holloway

College as follows:

“Crossing the road is, for children, a very different process than it is for adults. Children are

developmentally and experientially unable to assess looming and different car speeds efficiently.”

Copy of his article is available at http://pss.sagepub.com/content/22/4/429.full.

26

I suggest this emphasises the value of school crossing patrols. As a pedestrian has right of way only once

they are on a crossing, they have to make a judgment on whether they can reasonably expect a vehicle

to stop. Professor Wann’s study indicates that children are ill‐equipped to do this.

If, of course, the Council has evidence to the contrary, it should be made public. Please would you also

pass on the message that I would appreciate sight of the risk assessment report before a decision is

taken, so that stakeholders have the opportunity to review it.

8.

Thank you for your response. I wonder if you have seen this study?

http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/why‐kids‐dont‐notice‐approaching‐cars/ as it bears on the

decisions being made.

Today I was crossing Sydenham road with my children on the zebra. The car on our side stopped. As we

were proceeding across I realised a car was speeding up to the zebra, eventually driving across over the

speed limit totally ignoring us. If the kids had been on their own it could have been yet another tragic

accident on Croydon's roads, as they cannot make quick judgements or even hear the cars! :‐( without a

doubt they would have just gone across the road, thanks to the false sense of security the zebra crossing

provides.

I do hope the report done on these cuts is robust, I look forward to reading it.

9..

Please find attached video regarding the lollipop campaign.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzLFaDwtGak&feature=youtube_gdata_player

10..

I understand that disadvantage must play a part in the decision‐making, and I would like to draw to your

attention the fact that Selhurst Ward is one of the most disadvantaged in Croydon, having as it does:

higher rates of unemployment and more unskilled workers than Croydon as a whole;

50% more JSA claimants than LB of Croydon and considerably fewer owner‐occupiers;

Child Poverty at nearly one‐third as against, e.g. Sanderstead Ward, where child poverty is 5%;

four out of ten local SOA which are amongst the most deprived 20% nationally;

a Standard Mortality Rate 40% higher than LBC.

PARK HILL

1.

I am writing to express my concerns that from April we will no longer have a lollie pop lady. Fairfield

Road Zebra crossing is the most busiest crossing i have ever had to use and i am extremely concerned for

the school children elderly and even myself.

I have on several occasions when the lollie pop lady is not on duty tried to cross on the zebra crossing

and in all honesty it is a nightmare, i have been nearly knocked over by a van. I feel that this will be

Footpath

Visibility/obstructions

Street lighting

Road markings

Accidents involving pedestrians

Weight of traffic

Between 7.5 & 10m

In excess of 10m

Less than 2m

Steeper than 12.5% (1 in 8)

Less than 12.5% greater than 5% (1 in 20)

Less than 50m

Between 50 & 75m

Between 75 & 100m

Signs, street furniture, trees within 100 m

85%ile speed 40mph

Complicated markings within 50m

On a major road within 20m

On a minor road within 20 m

Weekdays only within 50m

Pedestrian flow light, vehicle flow heavy

Average age primary (up to 11 years)

Average age secondary (12+)

Total of risk adjustment factors and 10% compound multiplier

PV² x 10% compound multiplier=PV² (2)

Signal control (any)

Zebra (A, B or C roads)

Zebra (unclassified roads)

Accompanied children nursery infants

20 mph zone

Traffic calming

Traffic island

Total risk mitigation score Final score

Site Date PV² 1+ 2+ 1+ 2+ 1+ 3+ 2+ 1+ 1+ 1+to3+ 1+ 2+ 1+1 x no. Accidents 1+ 5+ 1+ 100% 80% 100% 100% 30% 30% 20%

Aerodrome 28.2.13 1,724,814 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 5 0 9=2.358 4,067,111 0 0 100% 0 20% 0 0% 120% 0All Saints 1.3.13 2,921,212 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 5 0 11=2.853 8,384,217 0 80% 0 0 0 0 0 80% 1,666,844Broadmead Nth 27.2.13 14,971,631 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 2 0 2 1 5 0 13=3.453 51,697,041 0 80% 0 0 0 0 0 80% 10,339,409Broadmead Syd 27.3.13 2,729,376 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 8=2.144 5,851,782 0 80% 0 0 0 30% 0 110% 0Elmwood 14.3.2013 7,338,681 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 5 0 13=3.453 20,206,203 100% 0% 0 0 0 0 20% 120% 0Oasis Academy 13.2.13 4,678,134 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 5 0 14=3.798 17,767,552 100% 0% 0 0 0 0 20% 120% 0Park Hill 15.3.2013 17,514,225 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 1 5 0 13=3.453 60,476,618 0 80% 0 0 0 0 20% 120% 0St John's 5.3.2013 8,890,903 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 5 0 11=2.853 22,965,202 100% 0% 0 0 0 0 20% 120% 0Woodside (Bl. Lane) 12.3.2013 3,369,600 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 13=3.453 11,635,228 0% 80% 0 0 0 0 0% 80% 2,327,046Woodside (Mor. Road)7.3.2013 11,886,338 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 5 0 11=2.853 33,911,719 0% 80% 0 0 0 0 20% 100% 0

Age factors Crossing facilities Safety measuresCarriageway width Down gradientSpeed/visibility travelling between 30 & 40mph Junctions

Aerodrome 8.00 8.05 8.10 8.15 8.20 8.25 8.30 8.35 8.40 8.45 8.50 8.55 Totalcars 24 22 26 23 26 28 15 21 20 24 24 24 277lorries 0 0 0 0 1 1 dustcart 1 dustcart 0 0 0 0 0 3vans 4 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 4 0 3 1 17mbikes 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1bicycles 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0minibus 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

children accompanied 0 5 2 0 13 11 39 25 25 5 0 0 125children unacc. 0 5 * 0 3 11 6 12 * 6 4 0 0 0 30

* inc 1 sec age

* inc 1 sec age

Total vehicles 300

Total children 155

All Saintscars 93 81 76 74 68 77 71 68 66 45 61 60 840lorries 1 1 2 2 3 3 2 1 1 0 0 1 17vans 13 11 10 5 7 9 11 10 9 8 11 13 117mbikes 4 0 1 1 1 3 0 2 1 0 2 1 16bicycles 7 5 5 2 3 2 3 2 2 1 3 1 36buses 1 3 1 0 1 2 1 1 1 2 0 1 14coaches 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2

children accompanied 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 5 6 6 4 4 30children unacc. 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 2 2 1 0 0 10

Total vehicles 1042

Total children 40

Broadmead - Syd.cars 53 46 43 49 48 50 56 54 51 58 46 42 596lorries 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1vans 0 0 0 6 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 11mbikes 2 0 1 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 1 0 9bicycles 5 2 3 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 13


Total vehicles 630

Total children 141

Broadmead - Nth.cars 80 56 48 38 80 54 58 70 73 65 62 63 747lorries 3 3 3 0 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 3 22vans 12 7 3 2 8 15 8 14 6 10 8 15 108mbikes 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 2 2 1 0 1 10bicycles 0 0 1 0 3 1 4 1 2 1 0 0 13buses 0 2 0 0 2 0 2 1 1 1 2 2 13


Total vehicles 913

Total children 48

Elmwoodcars 50 43 40 41 41 43 46 47 50 51 43 41 536lorries 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 2 1 1 2 10vans 0 0 5 7 3 4 3 5 0 2 5 3 37mbikes 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 6bicycles 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 1 2 1 1 1 17buses 2 2 3 3 4 5 4 4 2 5 2 0 36


Total vehicles 642Total children 53

Oasis Academycars 109 115 112 133 107 93 95 96 99 101 101 108 1269lorries 2 2 0 7 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 25vans 10 20 13 6 15 11 9 11 13 12 7 3 130mbikes 0 0 0 3 1 6 2 0 2 1 0 2 17bicycles 2 7 2 2 1 5 1 2 0 0 0 2 24buses 0 2 0 2 0 0 2 1 0 1 1 1 10


Total vehicles 1475

Total children 66

Park Hillcars 33 45 95 90 126 101 131 90 80 41 71 94 997lorries 1 4 2 6 5 8 3 4 3 1 2 2 41vans 3 5 9 8 11 9 12 8 9 7 6 7 94mbikes 0 2 1 0 1 3 2 1 0 1 0 1 12bicycles 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2tractor 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1


Total vehicles 1147

Total children 68

St John'scars 90 85 98 96 102 104 83 80 78 75 73 69 1033lorries 4 1 5 3 7 2 3 4 3 1 1 1 35vans 16 25 34 41 42 38 34 36 35 32 28 23 384mbikes 3 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 3 1 1 0 11bicycles 3 3 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 12buses 3 4 3 3 4 4 3 3 2 4 3 4 40


Total vehicles 1515

Total children 14

Woodside Bl Hrsecars 26 43 38 33 31 29 25 30 35 39 32 19 380lorries 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0vans 9 11 9 14 9 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 66mbikes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0bicycles 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1


Total vehicles 447

Total children 104

Woodside Morlandcars 39 30 20 23 26 24 27 31 32 48 28 19 347lorries 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1vans 9 6 4 2 6 10 4 6 6 3 2 2 60mbikes 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1bicycles 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 6buses 2 0 1 1 2 0 2 2 1 2 2 1 16


Total vehicles 431

Total children 214

SiteBusiest period Cars Lorries Vans Motorbikes Mini-bus Bicycles Buses Coaches Tractors Total PCU PCU²

Total children PV²

Aerodrome 08-08.30 149 (149 PCU) 2 (6 PCU) 8 (16 PCU) 1 (0.5 PCU) 2 (4 PCU) 0 0 0 0 175.5 30,800.25 56 1,724,814

All Saints 08 - 08.30 469 (469 PCU) 12 (36 PCU) 55 (110 PCU) 10 (5 PCU) 0 24 (8 PCU)8 (16 PCU) 1 (2 PCU) 0 646 417,316 7 2,921,212

Broadmead Nth 08.20 - 08.50 400 (400 PCU) 9 (27 PCU) 61 (122 PCU) 7 (3.5 PCU) 0 12 (4 PCU)7 (14 PCU) 0 0 570.5 325,470.25 46 14,971,632

Broadmead Syd 08.10 - 08.40 300 (300 PCU) 1 (3 PCU) 8 (16 PCU) 6 (3 PCU) 0 6 (2 PCU) 0 0 0 324 104,976 26 2,729,376

Elmwood 08.25 - 08.55 280 (280 PCU) 7 (21 PCU) 19 (38 PCU) 4 (2 PCU) 0 6 (2 PCU) 22 (44 PCU) 0 0 387 149,769 49 7,338,681

Oasis Academy 08 - 08.30 669 (669 PCU) 15 (45 PCU) 75 (150 PCU) 10 (5 PCU) 0 19 (6 PCU)4 (8 PCU) 0 0 883 779,689 6 4,678,134

Park Hill 08.10 - 08.40) 633 (633 PCU) 28 (84 PCU) 57 (114 PCU) 8 (4 PCU) 0 2 (0 PCU) 0 0 1 (2 PCU) 837 700,569 25 17,514,225

St John's 08 - 08.30 563 (563 PCU) 24 (72 PCU) 225 (450 PCU) 3 (1 PCU) 0 4 (1 PCU) 20 (40 PCU) 0 0 1127 1,270,129 7 8,890,903

Woodside (Bl. Lane) 08.30 - 09.00 180 (180 PCU) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 180 32,400 104 3,369,600

Woodside (Mor. Road) 08.20 - 08.50 188 (188 PCU) 1 (3 PCU) 35 (70 PCU) 1 (0.5 PCU) 0 4 (1 PCU) 9 (19 PCU) 0 0 281.5 79,242.25 150 11,886,338

appendix 1 – background report 1. detail background · 1 appendix 1 – background report 1....

Documents