Fears have been raised that schools across Perth and Kinross could lose their crossing patrollers due to budget cuts.

The PA understands councillors will discuss the issue in private at a lifelong learning committee tomorrow (Wednesday, January 30).

They are expected to consider scrapping crossing patroller posts that have been vacant for more than a year and will also consider patrols at zebra crossings.

And with the council set to decide on the 2019/20 budget in the coming weeks, councillors may be asked to once again look at crossing patrollers as they seek to find £28 million worth of savings.

Perth and Kinross considered the saving measure at last year’s budget, when it forecast a saving of £112,000 in 2019/20 if all crossing patrollers were axed. It estimated a further saving of £67,000 would be made in 2020/21 without the roles, but it held back from taking action.

Kinross Primary Parent Council (KPPC), the parent body that represents the pupils and parents of Kinross primary school and nursery, has now raised the issue saying they feared crossing patrollers in the town could be targeted.

A statement from the group read: “We want to make sure that a proper assessment of the need for these crossings is undertaken before any decision is made.

“We are the largest primary school in Perth and Kinross and our community has already had a fatality as a result of an accident at one of these crossings and we will do all we can not only to ensure the safety of our community, but also to protect the jobs of our crossing patrollers.”

The parent council has sent a letter to Perth and Kinross Council, asking for better collection of data examining how much traffic and how many pedestrians use the location of the crossings near their school.

KPPC added: “We demand that a full risk assessment matrix based on traffic numbers and the volume of children at each individual crossing is undertaken and that any decision is taken based on that data.

“We are demanding that a proper matrix formula be used - as it is in other jurisdictions, but not in Perth and Kinross - to take into account traffic and pedestrian volumes at these crossings, two of which are direct routes to the busy M90.”

Kinross-shire councillor Willie Robertson said: “That the safety of children could be compromised here to save money for the wider budget leaves me very concerned. It’s actually quite shocking this should be in the table at all.”

SNP councillor for Kinross-shire Richard Watters said he was “disappointed” the safety measures were in the firing line.

He added: “Ensuring our children can get to school safely should be our utmost priority. I would be extremely concerned if the Tory administration are seriously considering these cuts.

“I share the concerns of the growing number of parents that have contacted me regarding this and will work to ensure our children remain safe.”

Last week council leader Murray Lyle told the PA that non-statutory functions, such as crossing patrollers, could be scrapped altogether as councillors look to slash a massive £28m from the budget.