THE reduction in lollipop men and women in Worcestershire is said to be because of investment in pedestrian crossings.

Last week, we reported there are 66 lollipop men and women across the county, down from 81 five years ago.

However, there are currently eight school crossing patrol vacancies across Worcestershire which have yet to receive applications.

Cllr Lucy Hodgson, cabinet member responsible for communities said: "Worcestershire County Council's school crossing patrol service is delivered in accordance with nationally set criteria.

"The decrease in the number of school crossing patrols across Worcestershire over the past few years is due to the significant investment in upgrading facilities to pedestrian crossings or zebra crossing facilities to enhance the safety of pupils on specific sites where there are issues.

The cost of fitting pedestrian and zebra crossings is around £100,000 and £50,000 respectively.

Cllr Hodgson added: "The county council has reinvested on vacant or closed school crossing patrol sites to provide additional funding to our statutory road safety education service which offers road safety education and pedestrian training to all Worcestershire schools.

"This provides pupils with lifelong behaviours and attitudes for safe road use anywhere, at any time, on any journey, including the school holidays.

"Currently over 10,000 children are trained how to cross roads safely each year in Worcestershire and we encourage more schools to take part in this scheme.

"We also urge parents and guardians to accompany their children on the journey to school where possible.

Brake, the road safety charity, have said that four children are killed or seriously hurt while walking in the UK every day.

Jason Wakeford, director of campaigns for Brake, said: "School crossing patrols are a vital service, highly valued by communities, ensuring children can cross roads near their schools safely.

"While we appreciate councils have faced significant financial challenges in recent years, the safety of children should not be compromised as a result.

"Brake urges local authorities to retain crossing patrols, and implement wider measures like 20mph speed limits, to help protect lives."