A NUMBER of School Crossing Patrols in Bath & North East
Somerset will be sporting a new look over the next few weeks.
Instead of the traditional yellow high visibility jackets, the
patrols will be trying out bright orange uniforms.
Two uniforms have been ordered by Bath & North East Somerset
Council for patrols to try after two summers of being plagued by
tiny black insects that are attracted to the bright yellow. It is
hoped they will not find the orange so appealing.
Diana Barkes, School Crossing Patrol Co-ordinator for Bath &
North East Somerset Council, said: “The bugs have been a real
nuisance to our patrols over the past two years, flying into their
eyes and mouths as well as getting up their noses and caught up in
their hair.
“This has been a situation experienced by a number of other
local authorities up and down the country who have introduced an
orange uniform in the battle to beat the bugs.
“This is a colour worn by, for instance, rail workers and is
clearly seen from a distance.”
A number of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s School
Crossing Patrols will be trialling the new uniforms as the winter
gives way to spring and summer.
Diana added: “Drivers should be warned that School Crossing
Patrols wearing orange coats carry exactly the same powers as those
in yellow ones, namely that the law requires them to stop when a
patrol holds the stop sign up and that Patrols have the power to
stop traffic for any pedestrian, not just children.”
