A CONCERNED Kelty parent fears the lack of a crossing patrol at a busy junction could lead to more accidents involving schoolchildren.

Last Tuesday a 13-year-old boy was involved in an accident witha car on Station Road at 8.15am and was taken to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.

The incident prompted one parent, who did not wish to be named, to demand Fife Council take action and install a school crossing patrol officer that the village's two primary schools have been without since the start of term in August.

But the council say that they have been advertising the post, which would assist kids attending both Kelty and St Joseph's, since September but have found difficulties in attracting applicants.

Children attending St Joseph's, on Cocklaw Street, and Kelty Primary, on Main Street, face attempting to cross at the busy four-way intersection with Oakfield Street and Station Road.

Commuters heading from the village to the M90 and Cowdenbeath will drive through the busy junction and the St Joseph's parent said last Tuesday's incident was one of three that have taken place in the last year.

He said: "Some of the kids, especially just now when it's dark in the mornings and in the afternoon, are so small that drivers can't see them and it is the busiest junction in the village.

"The schools are aware of it; after the schools broke off for the summer and the crossing officer retired, parents at St Joseph's were given a letter stating that he wasn't being replaced and that children should take extra care getting to school.

"I informed Alex Rowley and Alex Campbell (Lochs councillor) in August, and I believe St Joseph's parent council have discussed it, but nothing has happened on the council side. Given this has now happened, how many near misses has there been? It is concerning as a parent, especially with it being dark in the mornings just now."

Peter Barrie, lead officer with the council, said: "Parents were notified in September that the School Crossing Patrol Officer at Kelty Cross would be finishing and that there would be no SCPO in place until we were able to successfully recruit.

"The recruitment process can be a lengthy and difficult process. We have advertised several times on the 'myjobscotland' recruitment portal but have so far been unsuccessful, so we are advertising again. At the same time we have asked our schools to help spread the word in the local community. We continue to do everything we can to fill the vacant post and would welcome applications from anyone interested in taking up a position as a SCPO."

The post, situated at Kelty Cross at the junction of Cocklaw Street, Main Street, Station Road and Oakfield Street, has shift times of 8.20-9.05am, 12.35-1.20pm and 3-3.30pm, with the hours of work totalling 10 per week at a rate of £8.33 per hour.

Applications can be made online at www.myjobscotland.gov.uk, or from the Kelty Job Club in Kelty Community Centre, which meets on Mondays and Wednesdays between 10.00 am and 12.00 pm.