KIRKLEES Council has hit back at critics after it refused to put a school crossing patrol on a busy road.

A leading councillor slammed critics of the council in a row over a 'danger' crossing on Luck Lane at Marsh.

Local residents and councillors were appalled to find there was no 'lollipop' patrol on Luck Lane - because it was too dangerous to staff.

Kirklees Cabinet's member with responsibility for road safety, Clr Martyn Bolt, said the council intended to deal with the call for a patrol on Luck Lane for pupils walking up to Reinwood Community Junior School at Oakes.

He said the first site meeting, involving councillors, decided the place first chosen - the junction of Luck Lane and Carr Street - was too dangerous to man.

Officials then looked for and held discussions on other possible sites.

Clr Bolt said another crossing point would mean some on-street parking for residents would be lost. This is being debated and would need the support of local councillors.

He also said a 'lollipop' person would have to be found. At present Kirklees cannot fill 50 similar posts.

Clr Bolt added: "We checked the travel plans for both schools in that area and neither said a school crossing patrol was a necessity. That is something to resolve."