A HEADTEACHER has called for a school crossing patrol to be reinstated after ‘several near misses’ with some motorists not stopping when the lights change on the nearby puffin crossing.

Headteacher of St Andrew’s CE School in Over Hulton, Simon Charnock has contacted his local councillor and MP in a bid to get the council to change its stance.

He said: “We are very aware that the issue is not specific to our school, but the health and safety of our children is paramount.

“Our great concern is that, even when a crossing patrol was in place, there are near misses with families when traffic on such a busy trunk road between Bolton and Leigh has not been paying the due care and attention to those using the puffin crossing.

“This has been the case for many years.

“We have expressed such concerns to Bolton Council and also asked for some support from our local ward councillor and our MP, who we would hope to have some influence in bringing about a change in the authority’s stance on the issue of patrols.

“The school is doing its best to reiterate road safety knowledge with our children and have asked our parents and families to maintain their vigilance when using the crossing but hope that our concerns are addressed as soon as possible.”

According to one parent the warden for the school was removed in July this year, and he has since noticed a change in drivers’ behaviour.

He said that when he was taking his five-year-old daughter to St Andrew’s the other day, he saw “a narrowly avoided accident”, which he didn’t see when his daughter was in reception when a warden was in place.

He said: “I witnessed two cars go through the crossing whilst the lights were on red.

“Both vehicles were in the bus lane whilst a line of other vehicles were already stationary in the first lane.

“I feel if nothing is done to resolve the issue then at some point in the not-too-distant future we will see at the very least a serious incident, maybe even a fatality.

“If not at our crossing, then at one of the others which are in a similar situation.”

Cllr Toby Hewitt, who represents Hulton, said: “There is a very well-established crossing in place.

“I am happy to discuss this with the school and ask if they want to put in volunteers to take up the role.

“People shouldn’t be going through red lights, but this is a legal matter.”

Since the parent raised the issue with Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South East, she has vowed to continue campaigning for better access to safer crossing points.

Ms Qureshi said: “I am deeply concerned by reports from my constituents that crossing wardens near primary schools are being cut by the council.

“I have made representations to the relevant department, but sadly it appears the decision is here to stay.

“I will continue campaigning to ensure pupils in my area have access to safer crossing points.

“The safety of children is not something that can be cut away, seen as a cash cow to save the council some money.”

The council has said that some of their discretionary services have been cut as a result of ‘budget constraints’ but that it is working with police to tackle dangerous driving concerns.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Road safety is a high priority for the council.

“We run a Road Safety Ambassadors Scheme with schools. “Like many local authorities we are subject to budget constraints.

“This has meant we have had to reduce some of our discretionary services including the recruitment of new patrol officers.

“We work alongside GMP to tackle the issue of dangerous driving and we will ensure they are notified about this case.”