CHILDREN'S safety is being put at risk outside a Bromsgrove school by county council penny-pinching and police indecision, claims an outraged councillor.

The removal of a child bollard - a small statue manufactured to look like a young school student - outside Lickey Hills Primary School and Nursery has enraged Councillor Peter McDonald.

He has been further dismayed by Worcestershire County Council's refusal to install flashing speed signs outside the Old Birmingham Road school.

“The County Council are putting children’s safety at risk at Lickey Hills School," said Cllr McDonald.

"They are refusing to reinstate the child bollard outside the school because police object to it even though it had been very successful in making motorists aware they are approaching a school and thus slowing down.

"Now the County Council is refusing to install 20mph flashing signs at the opening and closing of the school which would improve safety, because they say they have no money.

"The 20mph flashing signs have been proven to be successful in reducing speeds of vehicles and reducing the risk of children being knocked over.

"The cost of installing the signs is £5,000, a small price to pay for improving the safety of young children.

"The protection and welfare of children should be of paramount importance to the County Council.

"It would seem when it comes to the safety of children, the County know the price of everything and the value of nothing.”

Cllr McDonald also criticised the police for not agreeing to reinstall the child bollard.

“It really does beggar belief that the police who originally requested a child bollard be place outside Lickey Hills School at its precise location, are now objecting to it being reinstated in the same location they requested," he added.

"Sometime ago the County Council started to remove all child bollards that warned motorists they were approaching a school. Under the guise that they were not kite marked and thus dangerous.

"Campaigning with local residents we managed to stop the Council removing any more than two: one of those was outside Lickey Hills School.

"It was soon proven that they were not a hazard and safe. It was then agreed that the child bollards would be replaced.

"However, the County Council is stating they cannot and will not replace the one outside Lickey School, because of police objection.

"Although, the police have the audacity to state there should be a bollard there but not in the shape of a child

"The child bollards have been very successful in making motorists aware there is not just a school entrance but that they have entered a 30mph a restriction."

A spokesperson from Worcestershire County Council said: “We are aware of Councillor Peter McDonald’s concerns and are liaising with him to review them.”