The South Glos Post

South Gloucestershire’s road safety team is urging local people to come forward to help tackle a shortage of crossing patrol staff – better known as ‘lollipop’ people – across the district.

More than nine of the vital part-time posts are currently unfilled after staff retired or moved on to other jobs – and so far no new recruits have come forward, despite a comprehensive council recruitment campaign.

The shortage is particularly acute in Yate, where four posts – at Tyndale Primary, Cranleigh Court Road, North Road Primary, St Paul’s Roman Catholic Primary and Yate International Academy Woodlands Primary – remain unfilled.

Other crossing posts are vacant in Winterbourne, Almondsbury, Barrs Court and Thornbury.

Some of the posts have remained vacant for six months.

Now the council’s road safety team is asking parents and other residents to ‘spread the word’ and encourage anybody who might be interested in the posts to consider signing up.

Find out what is involved in being a ‘lollipop’ person »

Source: South Gloucestershire Council

Young people are being offered the chance to learn what it takes to become competent drivers through a course aimed at the 16-year-olds.

Would-be young drivers will learn road safety and have the chance to get behind the wheel on a private road network. During these practical sessions, they will learn basic car handling skills in a safe environment, on this special course which is run in partnership with North Avon Driving Instructors’ Association and South Gloucestershire Council.

The Junior Drivers course targets young people before they reach their 17th Birthday, to help raise awareness about the responsibilities involved in becoming a driver and to stress how important the right attitude is in keeping them safe. Those attending the course will be offered practical advice on applying for their provisional licence, taking a theory test, basic car maintenance and the Highway Code essentials. The course also teaches youngsters about the possible consequences of road traffic accidents, highlighting the high crash statistics involving young drivers, in an attempt to make them think twice about taking any unnecessary risks behind the wheel.

Alan Hale, senior road safety officer, said:

“This course is invaluable for young people looking to gain the confidence and skills required to become a competent driver. Nationally, one in five newly qualified drivers will have a crash within six months of passing their test. And with 17 to 25 year old drivers representing just 7% of licensed drivers, it is alarming to see that they are involved in 13% of all injury accidents.”

More: Dates of upcoming courses »

Source: South Gloucestershire Council

Councillors in Kingswood are celebrating after a council committee agreed to allocate funding for a zebra crossing outside a sheltered housing scheme.

Blackhorse Court on Blackhorse Road provides supported living for around 19 people with disabilities or learning difficulties. Residents had approached their local councillors about two years ago to see if South Gloucestershire Council would build a zebra crossing across Blackhorse Road as they had found it increasingly difficult to cross this busy road.

Local councillors Roger Coales, Andy Perkins and Pat Rooney (Labour, Woodstock) explained what followed:

“We held an initial site meeting with an official from the Council’s Highways department who identified a suitable location for a zebra crossing. Our problem was that there was no obvious source of funding through the normal Council routes.”

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Source: Woodstock Labour Councillors

Campaigners are encouraging residents to have their say on proposals to improve road safety around the Cotswold village of Acton Turville.

South Gloucestershire Council has launched a consultation on making the B4040 and B4039 safer as drivers approach Acton Turville, including a solar-powered and vehicle-activated ‘Bend Ahead’ sign and a reduction in the speed limit from 60mph to either 50mph or 40mph depending on the location.

The proposed scheme has been drawn up in response to the concerns of local residents and campaigners about the nine accidents recorded in the area over the last three years.

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Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council