The number of lollipop patrollers in West Dunbartonshire has fallen by 30 percent over the last decade.
Newly-published figures show that, in 2012, 60 patrollers were employed by West Dunbartonshire Council, but by last year that had fallen to 42.
West of Scotland MSP Pam Gosal highlighted the drop in numbers, after a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Scottish Conservatives led to the data being published.
In neighbouring Argyll and Bute, which covers Helensburgh and Cardross meanwhile, numbers dropped from 31 in 2012 to 20 by 2021.
Labelling cuts to local government budgets “savage”, Ms Gosal said: “Lollipop patrollers are an integral part of our communities in West Dunbartonshire. They are liked and respected by pupils, staff and teachers alike for how they keep our young people safe outside our schools.
“I was shocked to discover that the number of patrollers in West Dunbartonshire has fallen by 30 percent over the last decade. It shows how savage cuts by the SNP to council budgets are having on crucial day-to-day services.
“Enough is enough. The communities I represent in West Dunbartonshire cannot continue to bear the brunt of these cuts.
“That is why I am proud to back Scottish Conservative plans to enshrine a
fair funding deal in law for local authorities.”
In response a West Dunbartonshire Council spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting our young people to travel to and from school safely and continually work with pupils and parents to promote road safety.
“The small reduction in patrollers numbers is due to the introduction of co-location school campuses as well as work to bring the service in line with current national best practice guidance, which states that it can cause confusion for motorists if patrollers are in place in a location where there is also a controlled pedestrian crossing.
"These locations have been assessed by the team against the required national criteria and controllers have been retained where footfall and traffic speeds require.”
The Scottish Government say spending decisions are matters for local authorities, adding that councils are receiving a real terms increase of over five percent for the coming year.
