BLAENAU GWENT U-TURN OVER PROPOSALS TO CUT SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS

A campaign led by GMB Union has seen the council abandon proposals to cut crossing guards at 15 sites across Blaenau Gwent.

GMB, the union for School Crossing Patrollers, has praised Blaenau Gwent County Borough Councils’ decision not to make cuts to school crossing patrols.

The decision was taken at a full council meeting on Friday morning after a demonstration by GMB members alongside concerned members of the public, local councillors and Local AM Alun Davies.

The proposals were made last year to cut the traffic patrollers at 15 sites across the county Borough and caused wide-spread concern amongst the public, whilst the local Labour MP Nick Smith also claimed that there was a lack of transparency around the proposals [1].

However after petitions were organised by GMB branch chair Gary Godwin and signed by several hundred concerned residents, and a public demonstration this morning at the Civic Centre in Ebbw Vale, the council has pledged not to review the proposal for the duration of the administration.

Gareth Morgans, GMB officer for Blaenau Gwent said:

“This is great news for Children, Parents and Crossing patrol staff across the borough.

“In Semi-rural communities with lots of commuters like those in Blaenau Gwent, it is vital that we have school crossing patrols to ensure the safety of our children.

“The Council have pledged not to review the proposal within the duration of this Administration. I’d like to thank the leader of the council Nigel Daniels for accepting a delegation of Trade Unions, Parents and staff for listening to our concerns prior to the Council meeting.

“I’d also like to thank everyone who got involved with the campaign over the last few months, including the Local AM Alun Davies and the delegation of Labour Councillors and the public who turned up to protest this morning.”