Basingstoke dad's plea to withdraw school patrol cut

Among the most vocal opponents is a Basingstoke dad, David Payne, who described the council’s decision as a "false economy" that endangers children's safety.

Mr Payne, who is also the chair of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at St Mark’s Primary School in Danebury Road, has been at the forefront of the campaign to oppose the cuts.

The Kempshott resident, alongside children from the school, made a desperate plea to withdraw the plans at a recent county council meeting, as they shared their fears that removing patrols could result in preventable crashes.

READ MORE: Cuts to school crossing patrols slammed as 'dangerous' by Basingstoke schoolchildren

Jackson, 11, Sophia, 10, and Harry, 8, pupils at St Mark's, warned councillors about the potential dangers.

“We don’t want one of us or one of our friends to become one of those numbers,” the children said, referencing the 4,577 children under 15 who were injured or killed on UK roads last year.

Speaking to the Gazette after the meeting, Mr Payne, 40, spoke about the importance of school lollipop people in maintaining road safety.

“These patrols are invaluable,” he said.

“They don’t just help children and parents cross the road safely; they educate them on how to do it. A human being with a lollipop stick is a much stronger deterrent to reckless driving than any automated system.”

St Mark's school children who attended the meeting (Image: Supplied)

Hampshire County Council’s plan involves replacing the 17 patrols with "static safety procedures," such as automated systems, which Mr Payne believes will be less effective.

“The automated systems they want to replace them with just aren't dynamic enough to manage the traffic effectively, especially during peak times,” he said.

Danebury Road is a busy route used by commuters, with a 30mph speed limit often exceeded by drivers, particularly on a steep hill near the school.

Mr Payne said that the patrols have been crucial in preventing crashes on this road.

“Without them, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before there’s an incident,” he said.

Although none of Basingstoke schools are currently on the list of schools targeted for cuts, Mr Payne fears that the plan will eventually be expanded across the county.

“This is just a trial, and if it works, they’ll roll it out everywhere,” he said.

“Once they remove the patrols, I doubt they’ll ever reinstate them. That’s why we’re fighting this now.”

Despite the concerns, the recommendation to cut £114,000 from the budget, which would eliminate 17 patrols across Hampshire, will be sent to the council’s cabinet for a final decision on October 14.

Mr Payne, meanwhile, remains adamant that the PTA cannot afford to take on the responsibility of funding the patrols themselves.

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“We already raise £20,000 a year for school essentials like iPads and computers,” he said. “Finding more funds for crossing patrols would mean cutting essential educational resources. It’s an impossible choice.”

While Hampshire County Council insists the cuts are necessary to address the budget deficit, Mr Payne, other parents and schoolchildren are urging them to reconsider.

"This is about children's safety," he said.