GOODNEWS: Lib Dems cause major Tory U-Turn on school crossing patrols

At last week's Essex County Council Full Council meeting (13/5/14) the Conservative administration voted unanimously against a Lib Dem motion calling on the Cabinet Member Cllr Rodney Bass to abandon his proposals to withdraw funding for school crossing patrols (where fixed crossings exist) in the interests of children's safety.

When the motion was proposed by Lib Dem Cllr David Kendall one Tory councillor, Joe Pike called it "Out of Order" and a "Joke". Another Tory councillor Valerie Metcalfe called the motion "Puerile".

However just one week later and Cllr Rodney Bass makes an announcement at todays Cabinet meeting that the 48 school crossing patrols on zebra crossings that were under review are now all going to be saved. This major u-turn in policy left those attending the meeting stunned as it came completley out of the blue.

Lib Dem Cllr David Kendall said:

"I am absolutely delighted that the motion and campaigning by Lib Dem councillors, along with petitions and letters from parents, teachers and children has helped to save the 48 school crossing patrols on zebra crossings that were under threat and bought about this major U-Turn by the Conservative administration at County Hall. When the Tories voted against our motion last week I thought there would be uproar and condemnation in the media across Essex and that proved to be the case. This issue was always far more important than party politics, it was about basic road safety and protecting the lives of children crossing the road. I am glad that commonsense has finally prevailed".