County Derry councillor calls on Education Authority to reinstate school crossing patrol

A councillor has slammed the Education Authority's decision not to reinstate a school crossing patrol at a Kilrea primary school.

After many years of having a crossing patrol, St Columba's Primary School's most recent lollipop man retired last year and hasn't been replaced.

The move has left parents fearing for the safety of their children.

The school is located on a busy road which has been recognised as a 'speeding hotspot'.

Sinn Féin Councillor Sean Bateson, who says there have been some 'near accidents' in recent weeks, has written to the Education Authority asking them to urgently review their decision.

“The decision by the Education Authority to not reinstate a School Cross Patrol at St. Columba’s Primary School is not only deeply disappointing but quite frankly, dangerous,” he said.

“This crossing patrol had been in existence for years until the lollipop man retired last year. Since then the school has been left without one with the EA stating they will not be reinstating it.

“This has put the safety of the school children at risk and I’ve been told there have been a number of near accidents recently.”

Councillor Bateson continued: “This stretch of road in Kilrea has been recognised by both the PSNI and DFI roads as a speeding hotspot with regular speed cameras on the road. There was even a children’s court in the school which convicted drivers before Christmas.

“I’ve been contacted by concerned parents and the school itself on this. I have written to the Education Authority once again asking them to urgently review their decision and reinstate the crossing patrol as early as possible.”

A spokesperson for the Education Authority (EA) said: “The Education Authority can confirm that a request for a School Crossing Patrol (SCP) at St Columba’s Primary School was submitted and an assessment has taken place.  Unfortunately the location did not meet the minimum requirements for the operation of a SCP and this was communicated to the School.

“A review of the assessment process has been requested by the School and this is currently pending, the outcome of the review will be notified to the School in due course.”