Rochdale Council's Cabinet has approved plans to withdraw funding for crossing patrols from selected schools in Rochdale Borough.  They have passed the responsibility to decide if a crossing patrol is needed, and if so pay for that service, to the school.

As parents and taxpayers, we believe that school funds should be spent on education; providing outstanding staff, learning environments, equipment and experiences.

Schools should not be made responsible for the safety of children outside the school grounds, before school starts and after school has finished.

Roads are increasingly busy and dangerous places and children and parents have a right to be safe on their way to and from school.  We are encouraged to walk to school whenever possible and many families do.  Our dedicated crossing patrol staff turn out in every kind of weather, helping to keep thousands of children and adults safe each year.

We believe that highways management and road safety is the responsibility of the Council and its Highways department.

The annual cost of a crossing patrol is £4,000 per year.  The cost of reinstating all the crossing patrols that have been cut across Rochdale would be £124,000 per year.

We want Rochdale Council to reverse its decision to withdraw funding and continue to meet the cost of school crossing patrols across the borough to keep our children safe on their way to and from school.