A meeting of Newport Parish Council’s Devolved Services Committee has unanimously agreed to provide interim funding for 3 school crossing patrols in Newport.
The crossings at risk, due to the withdrawal of the service by the Isle of Wight Council in September, were Cedar Hill, Furrlongs and Carisbrooke Road/Wellington Road, but these will now be funded by Parish Council until the end of March 2017.
Further discussions will take place during the Parish Council budget setting process regarding future funding for the crossings.
Cllr Geoff Lumley, as lead finance member for the Parish Council, attended the meeting to explain that funds were available from the unallocated budget that had been carried over from the rise in the precept in 2014/15. These funds had been set aside to cover the costs of devolved services from the Isle of Wight Council and therefore could be made available to aid this situation in the short term.
The Chairman of Devolved Services Committee, Cllr Peter Whiteman said:
“The safety of these children was of paramount concern to our members and although parents have a duty of care to get their children safely to and from school, there needs to be extra help at these busy road crossings”.
At the meeting Cllr Whiteman encouraged the parents who attended to consider fundraising towards providing the service after April 2017.
Isle of Wight Councillor for Carisbrooke, Cllr John Hobart said:
“I’m delighted that the Parish Council are fully supportive of this important service, we need to investigate permanent crossings for the area but in the meantime taking ownership of this service is vital towards securing the safety of local children. I am currently investigating an engineered solution with Highways officers who have already made a number of visits to the relevant sites on Carisbrooke Road”.
