CAMBRIDGESHIRE County Council (CCC) has confirmed that funding for new school crossing patrols has been cut.

This has put paid to the possibility of new crossings in Melbourn and Meldreth, which councillor Susan van de Ven had asked the authority for.

As a further blow, all school crossing sites in the area will come under review if any patrols leave their jobs.

Cllr van de Ven said: “The school crossing patrol funds were badly affected in the county council’s budget.

“This is unfortunate because parents and grandparents of children in Melbourn and Meldreth had been in touch with me to say they need new crossings.

“On New Road in Melbourn and on Meldreth High Street, the crossings are needed, but now it seems this is a definite no.

“People have been concerned about primary school crossings in the area, and now schools where there is no officer are not going to get one.”

Also, if a patrol leaves a position at a pelican, puffin or zebra crossing with lights, they will not be replaced.

Cllr van de Ven was relieved to find however, that the crossing at The Moor, Melbourn, is not under threat.

Worry had risen in the village as the patrol has been unable to work recently.

“Fortunately the crossing which links The Moor and the High Street is safe, and meets the criteria even if the patrol leaves,” she said.

“If any other patrol does leave though, the crossings could not be deemed worthy to keep.

“It is also a worry as it is hard to replace them. We have had two year periods without patrols in the past.”

CCC has conformed it is to make “significant efficiency savings” to the school crossings patrol budget and that the crossing at The Moor is safe from review.

A spokesperson said: “The school crossing patrol at Melbourn is off work since tripping on a kerb, but we wish her a speedy recovery and hope she will be back at work soon.

“Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a relief patrol for this particular site, but it will be kept open for when she returns.”