Parent traffic patrol

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32564, 25 March 1971, Page 1

Parent traffic patrol

The first school traffic patrol in the country to be manned by parents instead of pupils was introduced at the Ham primary school in Christchurch yesterday. Established to control a crossing more than half a mile from the school, the scheme will be run by parents on a voluntary roster. The pedestrian crossing which two parents each day will man at 8.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. is on one of the country’s busiest roadways Riccarton Road. The crossing, near the Ham Road junction with Riccarton Road, has been the centre of controversy in past years. Requests were made earlier for a traffic officer to be put in charge of it. The initiative taken by the parent group in organising a roster to control the crossing was described yesterday by the headmaster of the Ilam school (Mr T. B. Whelhan) as a "very pleasing step.” The crossing handles more than 70 children from Ilam school each day as well as a number from the nearby Kirkwood Intermediate School and the Middleton Grange School. Parents working on the roster will have the same powers as teachers who are on duty at pupils’ crossing patrols. Dtus parents will have the authority to report infringements of the traffic laws on pedestrian crossings. The picture shows Mrs R. B. Keey on patrol with children from Middleton Grange School.