COUNCIL bosses have vetoed a lollipop lady to help school children cross a busy Marsh road - because the road is too dangerous!
Chiefs said Luck Lane in Marsh was so dangerous they wouldn't put a crossing patrol there - leaving the dozens of schoolchildren who use it every day to cross the road unaccompanied.
The situation arose after ward councillors in Greenhead began investigating what happened to the lollipop lady who worked on the busy road a few years ago.
It turned out the service had ended more than two years ago.
The councillors, Mehboob Khan, Barbara Jones and Mohan Sokhal, were keen to see a replacement.
But when they emailed Kirklees Council staff to ask about the situation they were told: "Highways surveyed the location to find out if a patrol could be justified.
"The location did meet the criteria for the provision of a crossing patrol. However, due to the specifics at the site, it was felt too dangerous to locate a patrol at this point, therefore the request was refused on the grounds of health and safety.
"There is no statutory responsibility on the local authority to provide crossing patrols. The service is merely permissive and as such, the responsibility for getting pupils safely to and from school remains with their parents/carers."
Clr Khan said: "It seems ridiculous.
"It seems they are saying kids will have to take their chances crossing the road.
"When we've spoken to people in the area about this they have been shocked but also bemused at the response."
Many of the children using Luck Lane are walking up to Reinwood Community Junior School on Burfitts Road.
Headteacher Graham Altoft said: "It just seems bizarre.
"What about the health and safety of the children crossing the road?"
Clr Martyn Bolt, Kirklees Council cabinet member for Highways, said a meeting about the situation had taken place on Friday and Highways technical engineers were examining the site and preparing a report.
He added: "We are committed to improving the safety of crossing this road.
"In order to do this we will be examining all avenues open to us - whether this be a pelican crossing or patrol.
"We have pinpointed an alternative site on Luck Lane and will be examining which is the best option to ensure the safety of our staff and those crossing the road."
