Anger after accident when there was no crossing patrol (From South Wales Guardian)

Anger after accident when there was no crossing patrol

10:37am Wednesday 8th July 2009

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A TEN-year-old schoolboy was knocked down by a car when there was no one available to run the school crossing patrol, it has emerged.

The boy – a pupil at Llandeilo primary school – suffered a broken foot and torn ligaments after being involved in collision with a Mini in Rhosmaen Street.

This follows last week’s disclosure in the Guardian that children’s lives are being put at risk because of an acute shortage of school crossing patrol officers in the county.

“Here in Llandeilo we regularly have artic lorries coming down Rhosmaen Street,” headteacher Karen Johns told the Guardian.

“Apart from our pupils you also have children from Ysgol Teilo Sant and the Busy Bees day nursery crossing what is the main trunk road to Manchester. Our lollipop lady regularly reports cars that do not stop, but the highways people will not cut the speed limit to 20mph because it is a trunk road.”

It is understood that no relief crossing patrol officer could be provided over a three-day period. Local police stepped in to take over the role, but no officer was available on the Friday afternoon, which is when the accident happened.

One concerned parent said: “Thank God the lad was only hit by a Mini and not a heavy goods lorry.”

A Carmarthenshire County Council spokesman said there were currently 10 vacancies for crossing patrol officers.

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