NINETEEN lollipop men and women are to be axed as part of massive council cuts, the Globe can reveal.

The decision to scrap the patrols was taken in secret a fortnight ago and was expected to be ratified by councillors as we went to press on Tuesday evening.

Crossing monitors will disappear from schools in Bidston, Leasowe, Eastham, Birkenhead, Oxton, Upton, Pensby, Seacombe, Heswall, Claughton and Wallasey.

The decision is designed to save the council £50,000 in wages and “consumables”.

It is part of the £4.5m worth of cuts the council says is necessary for the next financial year.

Liberal Democract councillor Jean Quinn, the council’s cabinet member for Streetscene and transport, was reluctant to comment on the axing of lollipop men and woman because it was officially listed as an “exempt” item for discussion - not for public consumption.

But pressed by the Globe on what effect the axing of patrols was predicted to have on road safety, she said: “This was a difficult decision that had to be made.”

Cllr Quinn said “schools and volunteers” would instead be offered “help and support” in any efforts to replace the road monitors.

But Wallasey Conservative councillor Leah Fraser said: “This is the clearest sign so far that Wirral Council has lost the plot.

“A council that can spend £8,000 on a trip to China but cannot find the cash to keep some lollipop ladies on the payroll is a council that’s not worth having.

“Mums and dads, teachers and lollipop ladies are anxiously waiting to be told which roads are not dangerous enough to justify a crossing.

"Many of our schools are doing their best to encourage children to walk to school and lollipop ladies are a really important part of that campaign.

“How on earth does the council think we will reduce congestion around schools if we are making it more dangerous to walk instead?

“Cutting school crossing patrols is a sad, desperate measure by a council that doesn’t have a clue about the issues out in the community.”

Cllr. Fraser, who says she worked with staff and parents at Liscard Primary School to introduce a ‘walking bus’ four years ago, added: “I am concerned that once again, we are seeing little or no consultation with the staff, parents or schools on cuts to the crossing patrols.

"Road safety is one of the top issues for parents, particularly those with young children who may not have developed their road sense and are unaware of the dangers of speeding traffic.”

When approached by the Globe, the council declined the opportunity to comment on the “budget saving proposal” due to be rubber-stamped at Tuesday’s Streetscene and transportation overview and scrutiny committee, again on the grounds it was “exempt”.

A statement might be available “next week”, said a spokeswoman.