ANGRY parents have criticised Torfaen council plans to slash the number of crossing patrols in the borough.

Parents and school governors have branded the plans to halve the number of crossing patrol sites from 40 to 19 “ridiculous” and “crazy”.

As part of the recommendations, none of the 17 lunchtime operations in the borough will remain.

Alix Jennings, 35, takes her three children on the school run to Victoria Primary School. The review proposes removing the two crossing patrols at the school; on Cwmavon Road and the vacant post on Lower Harpers Road.

She said: “It’s dangerous as cars speed down the road with drivers not realising how unpredictable children can be. My child fell in the road before, so the more adults supervising the road the better.”

She described the proposals as “ridiculous” adding: “These are children’s lives that are being put at risk, when it comes to children and cars then it’s an accident waiting to happen and more needs to be done to prevent this, not take it away.”

The school’s chairwoman of governors, Rita Wilkins who walks her two grandchildren to school, explained that traffic calming measures on the road have made it more dangerous as there are blind spots.

She added: “It’s bad that the proposals do not set out an alternative to the crossing patrols, such as installing pelican crossings, but instead just a straight removal.

The proposals also set out that Cwmffrwdoer Primary School will lose three patrols.

Governor, Jason Peake called the proposal “crazy” adding: “Everyone is worried as there are so many junctions and blind spots that it would be hard for children to navigate without help.”

A Pontnewynydd Primary School parent, Sian Price is against the proposals to remove the crossing patrol from Limekiln Road.

She said: “I am gravely concerned that a child will be injured or hurt.”

Another parent, Vicki Carter said that she was “disgusted” at the proposal saying that the service was “vital” and hoped that, for the safety of children now and in the future, the council “rethink this ludicrous decision.”

It is estimated the changes will save the authority around £65,000 a year if the review is approved later this month.

Executive member for neighbourhood services, John Cunningham said: “All sites have been reviewed in-line with the national criteria and as a result it is clear that certain patrols are no longer justified.”

A full list of the proposed changes can be seen at bit.ly/1i2Lq3j

To comment on the proposals email highways.transportation@torfaen.gov.uk or write to The Head of Highways and Transportation, Ty Blaen Torfaen, Panteg Way, New Inn, Pontypool, NP4 0LS.