SCHOOLCHILDREN will be able to walk safely to school when the new term starts, the council has reassured residents.

A plan to remove crossing patrol officers from their posts at the end of the last academic year had been delayed due to questions being raised by Liberal Democrat councillors over whether proper procedures had been followed.

The Lib Dems believe that proposals to remove the patrol officers, known as Lollipop Ladies, and replace them with automated crossings, which was agreed at a meeting of the executive on July 26, was in breach of procedures detailed in Wokingham Borough Council's (WBC) constitution.

Five councillors have since called for the decision to be reviewed, meaning no action can be taken by WBC until a review has been completed.

Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey said: “Over 1,600 people signed a petition against the blanket removal of our remaining Lollipop Ladies and I cannot see that Wokingham Borough Council is making the decision with the best interests of its residents at heart.

"WBC seems to be thinking more about money than the safety of our children. We have evidence that these crossings may not only be less safe but also may not be cheaper either. We are going to hold the ruling Conservative group to account on this matter."

The review will be debated at a meeting at the council's Shute End offices on September 3 at 7pm.

Cllr Anthony Pollock, WBC's executive member for highways and transport, said: "We respect the call-in process as a valuable transparency check and balance on decision-making in Wokingham Borough and in all local government. But this means it would be wrong to discuss the claims involved or pre-empt the debate due to be had in public at that meeting on September 3.

“Notwithstanding that, we can confirm that we will have safe school crossing provision in place for the autumn term, regardless of the outcome of that meeting. What we are proposing is safe, meets national standards, and has been already used successfully in both Wokingham Borough and across the country for many years.”