Driffield's Wansford Road, School Crossing Patrol

The call goes out for a school crosing patrol person to man the Wansford Road/Bridlington Road junction.

Responding to concerns expressed by parents, the East Riding of Yorkshire Council has confirmed that it would be happy to fun an interim crossing patrol operative for the summer term whilst the parents and children get acclimatised to the new traffic and pedestrian controls at this busy crossroads.

Cllr Symon Fraser commented, "The Council has had great difficulty in recruiting a patrol person for this corrsing.  This difficulty was one of the factors which weighed heavily in the installation of the new traffic lights and controls.  These improvements are fully expected to provide a very safe and user friendly system, but if we can find a patrol person to provide a service whilst the chidlren get used to the new system that would be an added bonus."

Cllr Felicity Temple added, "While the new lights were being installed, the ERYC borrowed the crossing patrol gentleman from the Market Place/Exchange Street junction.  This town centre junction has a poorer accident record than the crossroads and it is important that the patrol is reinstated there.  If a new operative can be found for the summer term then I would welcome the additional reassurance that this would offer to parents and children.  I am quite sure that the children will very quickly grasp how to use the new pedestrian controlled system.  We must not underestimate them, after all, who is it in your house that works the video recorder?"

Barbara Hall commented, "The crossings are working well.  Driffield children are well able to use this technology and will soon show their parents that they know how to cross safely.  This offers them the chance to learn responsibility for their own road safety and if their parents have concerns I am sure they will accompany them until they are satisfied they can cope on their own.  However, I welcome the East Riding's offer, if only someone would come forward to take on this post.