A BUS is to be provided to take children across the A140 to a village school following the resignation of a crossing patrol officer.Sheila Banham quit her job outside Stoke Ash Primary School, near Eye, last week after witnessing a two-car collision in which a pupil sustained minor injuries.

A BUS is to be provided to take children across the A140 to a village school following the resignation of a crossing patrol officer.

Sheila Banham quit her job outside Stoke Ash Primary School, near Eye, last week after witnessing a two-car collision in which a pupil sustained minor injuries.

She said she could no longer tolerate the risk of seeing someone killed or being hit by a vehicle herself.

However, Suffolk County Council could find no immediate replacement and parents, school staff and villagers expressed their fears for the safety of youngsters.

Pressure has been mounting on the council to take action – as the flashing lights warning traffic of the presence of a crossing patrol had not been switched on since Mrs Banham's departure.

Officials held a meeting yesterday to discuss interim measures while the search goes on for a new crossing patrol officer.

Later it was announced that a bus would be provided to ferry children from Stoke Ash village across the A140 to the school.

The rest of the pupils come from other villages and are already brought in by bus.

David Chenery, the county council's road safety manager, said: "Whilst we find a permanent solution to the school crossing patrol vacancy at Stoke Ash, we have arranged for a bus to take pupils safely to school so they do not have to place themselves in danger by crossing the road."

A council spokesman said contact would be made with the head teacher, Gordon Leathers, on Monday to finalise details. The school was closed yesterday because of the bad weather.

Mike Langan, parish council chairman, said: "This will help a lot. If something ploughs into the back of the bus at least the kiddies will have some protection. It is nice to think that commonsense is around."

Mr Langan said he had been very concerned about the impact on safety caused by the resignation of Mrs Banham.

Before yesterday's decision to provide a bus he had been in touch with Suffolk police to see if an officer could carry out the crossing patrol duties at each end of the school day – as a temporary measure.

Two drivers injured in a collision on the A140 at Stoke Ash on Tuesday are still being treated in Ipswich Hospital.

One of is in the intensive care unit and his condition was described yesterday as "stable". The other was said to be "doing well" on a general ward.