Petition leads to creation of school crossing patrol
A PETITION FROM a Shepshed mum has led to a school crossing patrol being set up outside St Botolph’s Primary School.
Jody Warrington, 40, has two children at the school and felt that it wasn’t safe for them to walk home because of the amount of traffic and cars speeding in the area as her kids were leaving school.
The Shepshed mum said that she set up a petition that gained more than 150 signatures, and also had support from Lougborough MP Nicky Morgan.
Jody said: “I just didn’t feel safe letting my kids walk home from school. My 11-year-old has just started walking home by himself but there are a lot of cars that come speeding along the road outside of the school, and there is a lot of traffic when parents come to pick up their children.
“I got in touch with the school about this, and with help from the Friends of St Botolph’s group we heard back from the traffic department at the county council who were assessing the area and now we’re going to have a crossing patrol.
“There are so many cars that speed past the school and also because Forest Street is so narrow most cars are double parked and it is such a squeeze to get along there.
“I will feel much safer letting my children walk home from school now because I think it will make it a lot safe having someone outside of the school helping children cross such a busy road.”
Leicestershire County Council told the Echo that the need for a patrol is determined by a full assessment of the site including pedestrian and vehicle volume, accident numbers and other site characteristics.
The county council said that they are looking for one patrol outside of the school, and that it will be a paid role, not voluntary, and that the position would start once all pre-employment checks were satisfied.
A spokesperson said that there is also a a vacancy at Forest Street/Kirkhill, Shepshed, following the retirement of the patrol.
Coun Blake Pain, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for highways, said: “We had a request from a concerned parent for a crossing patrol officer to be considered outside St Botolph’s School in Shepshed.
“Following an assessment of the area we have decided to advertise for the position.
“We would welcome all applications from anyone who would be interested in filling the position. Anyone interested can call 0116 305 7233 or email SCPService@ leics.gov.uk”