Lollipop men and women will be helping children to cross roads near seven Dudley borough schools from today.

Dudley Council’s school crossing patrol service is gradually resuming as coronavirus restrictions continue to ease and more children return to school. Nine selected sites have been identified as locations where social distancing can be safely managed, following government recommendations.

Schools where the service is in place are:

• Glynne Primary School
• Bromley Hills Primary School
• Greenfield Primary School (Greenfield Ave and Worcester Street)
• Wallbrook Primary School
• Priory Primary School (The Broadway only)
• Jessons C of E Primary School (Himley Road site only)
• and Christchurch C of E Primary School

Times of operation may vary from normal to accommodate staggered start and finish times. Pupils, parents and carers are asked to keep at a safe distance at all times. Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental, highways and street services, said:

"We are delighted to be reintroducing the school crossing patrol service, we know it is something that’s very much appreciated by schools and parents.

"Naturally our first priority is to ensure pupil and staff safety during the pandemic and that is why we are initially only able to roll out to the ten selected locations.

"As pupil numbers increase, we will look to roll out the school crossing patrol at these schools."

Remaining school sites have been risk assessed and more will be reopened as additional work is carried out to ensure social distancing is possible.