FOUR school crossing patrols in the Vale of Glamorgan have been saved – including Carol Garland and David Letts on Cardiff Road, outside Dinas Powys Infants School – after a last minute U-turn by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

The patrols received phone calls informing them that their contracts had been extended until the end of the summer term - the night before they were due to finish on Friday (April 15).

It was too late for some of the farewell ceremonies – which left many schoolchildren in tears – but in a dramatic twist, the decision to remove them was reversed after no applicants came forward for the 'mobile patrol' positions advertised by the local authority.

“A decision has been made by the Vale of Glamorgan Council to provide continued cover at four temporary school crossing patrol posts for the forthcoming summer term,” said a Vale Council spokesperson.

“The four school crossing patrols, two sited at Dinas Powys, one in Penarth and the other at Cadoxton, were employed on temporary contracts which came to an end on April 15, 2011.

"The Council had looked to employ additional mobile patrols, who could provide the flexibility of being able to patrol any sites where their presence was needed.

“However, following the Council advertising for these positions, no applicants have come forward.

“As a result the existing four temporary patrol officers have been offered new temporary contracts to make sure the sites are not unstaffed over the summer term.”

Vale Council Leader, Cllr Gordon Kemp, said a full risk assessment of all three sites had not been carried out, and this had been a contributing factor in the decision to renew the four existing contracts.

“It has been clear for some time that the Council will be undertaking a full review of all school crossing sites, to decide which ones require a continued school crossing presence,” he said.

“When this matter was discussed at Cabinet I made it abundantly clear that I would not want to see these sites left without patrols in advance of concluding that review and undertaking full risk assessments.

“It is extremely disappointing that there were no applicants for the mobile officer posts, but faced with this I am satisfied that we have been able to act quickly and decisively so these sites have patrols in place next term.

“I am also extremely pleased that the previous post holders have indicated that they are in a position to patrol these sites next term.”

Cllr Jeffrey James, Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation, said it was critical the sites were patrolled pending a full review.

“I’m very pleased that the three sites will continue to be staffed,” he said.

“I would like to thank the four patrols in question, who have continued to fulfil their roles in a professional and efficient manner, particularly during a period of media and public interest.

“The Council’s position has not changed on this issue. We have always said that the sites would be staffed next term and this remains the case.”

Jessica Marsh, principal organiser of protests at Dinas Powys Infants School over the council’s original decision to change the service, called it 'fabulous news'.

“I’ve already spoken to both Carol and David and they have said that they would be happy on term-time rolling contracts - health ermitting - for the forseeable future, so that is something we intend to propose to the Vale,” she said.

“They know where they are then at least.

“Obviously we are delighted the council has changed its mind – but the timing could certainly have been better," she added.

“Carol and David are both very upset - they had already prepared themselves to leave.

“To call them up the night before they were due to finish is just playing with their emotions.”

The Council also reinforced the issue of liability with regards to crossing patrols.

“School crossing patrols are not responsible for children at any location, as the responsibility still lies with the parent to supervise their children,” added a Vale spokesperson.

“The crossing patrol service is not a statutory obligation and the Council is not required to provide the service.

“Responsibility will always lie with parents or guardians and not the Council, even when a school crossing patrol is present.”