HEMINGFIELD parents have received words of support from a local MP after their school crossing patrol was axed by Barnsley Council.
Jonathan Wainwright, 37, is one of the parents organising a petition to keep a lollipop man outside the Ellis School, Hemingfield.
"The latest school newsletter said that after the retirement of our current crossing patrol officer there wouldn't be a replacement.
"I went online and discovered a cabinet decision in April 2013 in which any patrols in areas deemed low risk would not be replaced once current officers retired.
"They have sliced and diced a cheap but important provision."
Barnsley East MP Michael Dugher said he shared the concern of residents and will be raising this with Barnsley Council as a matter of urgency.
"Every local parent rightly wants to know that the safety of their children will always come first," he added.
The decision came to light after lollipop lady Barbara Fox went off sick after breaking her ankle. She then decided to retire and Stan Cusworth, 72, who stepped in to do the job while she was off, has been told he will no longer be required after next week - half term.
Coun Roy Miller, cabinet spokesman, said: "The Ellis site in Hemingfield no longer meets the minimum criteria for a school crossing patrol, so now the school crossing patrol person at The Ellis has just retired, we will not be continuing the patrol.
"Road safety staff will work with the school to provide travel planning and road safety support to keep the children safe."
** The full story is in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated October 17. **
