The county council is set to cut 17 lollipop school crossing patrols across Hampshire – but it will also be looking at the future of 154 others.
From the 177 school crossing patrols that Hampshire County Council manages, the administration is now proposing to remove 17.
Of these, 14 do not meet the criteria for patrols, and the other three already have a “safe alternative” in place for children to cross the road without help.
READ MORE: Hedge End girl's petition to save lollipop lady on Hobb Lane
The lollipop crossings could be removed from the sites in April 2025 if approved.
The patrols set to be cut are:
Eastleigh, Chamberlayne Road/Blenheim Road
Eastleigh, Chapel Road/Moorgreen Road, West End
Fareham, Hunts Pond Road/Longacres, Park Gate
Fareham, Red Lion/Stubbington Green, Stubbington
Fareham, Red Lion/Stubbington Green, Stubbington
Havant, Padnell Avenue, Waterlooville, outside school
Havant, Mill Road, Waterlooville, outside school
Gosport, Gosport Road/Cambridge Road
Gosport ,Wych Lane/Kent Road
New Forest, Exbury Road/Hampton Lane, Blackfield
New Forest, Studley Avenue/Lime Kiln Lane, Holbury
Test Valley, Parkhouse Road, Shipton Bellinger
Winchester, Church Lane, Kings Worthy
Winchester, Church Road, Swanmore
Eastleigh, Wildern Lane, Hedge End (Zebra Crossing)
Hart, Gally Hill Road, Crookham, outside school (Zebra Crossing)
New Forest, A35 High Street, Lyndhurst (Zebra Crossing)
The decision, which would get final approval by the council’s cabinet on October 14, is one of the 13 proposals included in the second round of the public consultation that aims to cut services due to the £175m blackhole the council is expected to face by 2025/26.
It says £114,000 could be saved if the 17 patrols are cut, but it has previously proposed removing all patrols, with savings of £1.1m.
Despite this new proposal only removing 17 sites, cabinet papers indicated that 156 other patrols would be under further review to assess whether other measures can be rolled out, removing the need for patrols.
Currently, the county council spends approximately £1.1m a year to provide the service, with an average cost of around £6,000 for each patrol a year.
School crossing patrols were established by the School Crossing Patrols Act 1953. Since 1954, their beloved and trusted lollipop lady or man has been helping children in the UK cross roads safely on their way to school.
Councillors will debate the proposal on Monday, September 23.
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