A HEADTEACHER and parents have criticised the authorities for taking no action after traffic lights near their school stopped working.

Myland Primary School head David Young and groundskeeper Mike Aldous had to help pupils cross the busy Northern Approach Road in Colchester after the lights at the junction with Mill Road went out on Wednesday morning.

Mr Young said Mr Aldous contacted Essex County Council’s local highways office, but only got through to someone in Hertfordshire.

Mr Aldous was told to wait until 8.30am or call the police.

Mr Young said: “What I was cross about was that nobody took responsibility.

“That junction is pretty dangerous at the best of times.

“Despite having rung the council and the police, no one did anything about it. They obviously don’t realise how potentially dangerous this is.

“We have a lot of families, but some of our older children come alone to school.”

Mr Young said staff at the Mill Road school had been given specific guidance they should not help people cross the road because they could be held liable if there was an accident.

But he said there was no option but to get involved yesterday.

He added: “My grounds manager and I were out there.

“We’re not supposed to help in these situations because we could be held liable, but we had to for obvious reasons.”

One parent said: “It’s ridiculous they can’t come out and sort it out. It’s an accident waiting to happen.”

Grandmother Janet Thompson, who often takes Ella Tracey, six, and Tom Tracey, three, to and from the school and nursery, agreed Mr Young had to take action.

She said: “A lot of kids are up there and it can be quite dangerous.

“I’m surprised the police didn’t send somebody up to cover it because so many children use it.

“If the headmaster and the caretaker hadn’t been there, it would have been a nightmare because they do go rather fast along there.”

Sarah Walkinshaw drove daughter Amy Walkinshaw and son Harrison Richards to the school yesterday morning.

She said: “It was a bit of a nightmare, as you can expect.

“There were obviously cars dodging and they didn’t know what to do.

“There were a couple of cars that nearly collided, but it’s just common sense really.”

Mr Young has written to local organisations, including Essex County Council, calling for a system to be introduced so children can be helped to school if there is a problem.

An Essex County Council spokesman said: “The council was made aware of some faulty traffic lights on Mill Road, Colchester.

“The contractors were called as soon as possible and the problem was rectified.

“The council will be looking into the issues raised and will take any necessary action.”

Sgt Phil Carpenter, from the neighbourhood policing team, based in Ipswich Road, said: “I’m sorry to hear about Mr Young’s concerns and would be happy to speak to him direct about them.

“We did receive a call on our community mobile phone at around 9.15am about the lights, but didn’t receive any requests for support from the school.

“This can be a very busy road and we completely understand the concerns. If anyone finds themselves in a similar situation in the future, please ring 999 and explain that you need assistance.”