THE short-term future of an under-threat lollipop crossing patrol has been secured.

The crossing, in London Road, Stanway, is used by pupils of Stanway Primary School. It is among 55 in Essex facing the axe.

Now private funding has been secured to pay for the crossing for at least a year.

British Land, which owns land in Tollgate, set aside £30,000 in 2011, partly to pay for the crossing. However, it was never used and is still available, if Essex County Council cuts the patrol.

Stanway headteacher Brian Combes said: “The whole situation has been surprising in terms of the county council suddenly expecting us to fund crossing patrols.

“We think that is wrong."

This has come after the budget has already been set. We are delighted the crossing is secured at no cost to the school.

"It provides a much-needed safe way for children to cross .”

The county council is considering plans to save £322,000 by scrapping the 55 crossings, Lesley Scott-Boutell, borough councillor for Stanway, secured the £30,000 from developers when the crossing was under threat in 2010.

The money will be released to the county council from September.

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