Children put at risk crossing Yorkshire Street

Heybrook Primary School pupils Fezaan Khan, Aliyah Ramzan, Faizah Faruque and headteacher Tina Wheatley

Young children attending Heybrook Primary School are risking life and limb crossing one of Rochdale’s busiest roads unsupervised up to four times a day.

Since Christmas 2007, when their school crossing patrol man died, the primary school children have been left without a crossing patrol and as a result two children have been injured in accidents and headteacher Tina Wheatley believes it is only good fortune that has so far prevented a child being seriously or fatally injured.

Ms Wheatley and three of her pupils, Aliyah Ramzan, Farzah Faruque and Fezaan Khan, addressed councillors at Rochdale Township meeting and appealed to them to sanction the replacement of their school crossing patrol and presented a petition with 774 signatories backing their plea.

A council highways officer told the meeting that the council had found it difficult to find a replacement and had instead upgraded a nearby crossing to a ‘Puffin Crossing’ and it was not council policy to provide a school crossing patrol where a Puffin Crossing existed. The officer offered as an alternative to send the council road safety officer into the school to teach the children how to use the Puffin Crossing and cross the road safely.

Conservative councillor, Councillor Ann Metcalfe, did not believe that was sufficient to safeguard such young children, she said: “Motorists are not always considerate and young children cannot be expected to exercise due care and attention, it is essential for their safety that the school crossing patrol is reinstated.”

Lib Dem councillor, Councillor Zulf Ali explained that government guidelines were the obstacle and suggested that the school look at providing a crossing patrol out of their own school budget.

Labour councillor, Councillor Farooq Ahmed made a very salient point when he said school children were being encouraged to walk to school and parents discouraged from taking them by car; not having a crossing patrol was likely to lead to parents continuing to bring children by car he said.

His Labour colleague Councillor Ibrar Khan asked the council to reconsider its priorities saying: “We have got to consider the safety of these young children, what price council priorities when a child gets killed?”

Councillor Khan added: “A school patrol person also acts as the eyes and ears of the school and, as well as helping children cross the road safely, can liaise with school teachers to help improve discipline.”

Township chairman, Councillor William Hobhouse suggested a report be brought before the next Township meeting in September but Councillor Jane Gartside said that was too late as the new school year would already be under way. Council leader Alan Taylor agreed.

Councillors resolved to ask ward councillors to look into the matter immediately.