Norfolk County Council is once again considering cancelling the Dersingham school crossing patrol as they tried to do in 2016, with a new consultation about to start and running until 1st July 2024. The community fought the closure then and will do now. 

The current crossing patrol lady recently retired after years of service. The community are so grateful for her help over the years at this nasty junction. Norfolk County Council are preparing to use this as an opportunity to scrap the role and have not even said if a temporary replacement will be available from 15 April 2024.

The loss of this valuable service will see children in Dersingham put in considerable danger, without a safe way to cross Manor Road at the bottom of Dodds Hill.

It is believed that as it is half a mile from the school site, it is not a main thoroughfare; however children regularly use this crossing to get to and from school safely.  A number of children walk to and from school independently, and with no other safe way of crossing this road, their safety would be put at significant risk.  The council state they want to increase active travel (not car journeys to school), but cutting this vital service may cause people to consider cars. 

This location is the only possible crossing path for this road, and is the only pedestrianised route to the school. The crossing is just after a bend, making it impossible to see oncoming vehicles. The road has a 30mph speed restriction and considerable traffic for a small village, particularly during the summer period.  

Although we appreciate it is the legal responsibility of parents and carers to make sure that their child gets to school safely, adults similarly have difficulties in crossing this road and rely on our school crossing patrol.

By signing this petition, we wish to show Norfolk County Council just how much we use the school crossing patrol, and how it would be a reckless decision to remove this service.

Please hear our call :

Norfolk County Councillor for Dersingham Division, Councillor Stuart Dark (Conservative) 

Norfolk County Council Cabinet Member for Communities, Councillor Margaret Dewsbury (Conservative) 

Leader of Norfolk County Council, Councillor Kay Mason Billig (Conservative)