Road too dangerous for lollipop ladies... but not for kids to cross
pupils have been left to deal with a busy crossing on their own – because it’s too dangerous for a lollipop lady.
The road outside st Barnabas Church of England primary school in Worcester has seen a string of accidents despite a 20mph limit.
Council chiefs advertised for a crossing attendant – but withdrew it after health and safety officers said the job was too risky. Teachers and councillors have questioned why officials deemed the road unsafe for a trained adult – but were happy for the primary school’s 420 children to face it alone.
They are now demanding a zebra crossing is installed amid fears a youngster or a parent could be killed. One pupil’s twoyearold sister was left with a broken ankle last term after being hit by a car during the afternoon pick-up. in september, a parent’s parked car was written off after another vehicle crashed into it during the morning drop- off. And another young boy was almost struck by a car two weeks ago while crossing a nearby road with his mother.
speaking at a Worcestershire county council meeting last week, councillor paul Denham said: ‘Can i ask why it’s taken more than a year to replace the lollipop lady in st Barnabas? Could it be because when the post was advertised last year, the advert had to be withstood drawn because a risk assessment carried out by an officer of this council decided that it was not safe enough to employ a trained adult wearing a hi-vis jacket and holding a lollipop because of the traffic situation?
‘she said the traffic was travelling too quickly and didn’t always stop. How can it possibly be safe then for children crossing the road?’ The school, which caters for children aged between 4 and 11, was rated ‘good’ at its last Ofsted inspection in October.
Headteacher sarah Hanson said: ‘i find it astonishing that the county council risk assessment found that it’s not safe for an adult to cross the road safely, yet they are quite happy to allow 420 children from the primary school to do so. We have already had two accidents which have had police involvement.’
The council said a zebra crossing will be installed outside the school within the next year.
it has also re-published the advert for a crossing attendant – despite its previous safety concerns. Applicants are told they will earn £7.89 an hour. it is under- that the risk assessment of the road took place last June.
Councillor lucy Hodgson, cabinet member for communities, said: ‘The employee risk assessment highlighted that a number of vehicles were mounting the kerb at the point where the patrol was stood on the side of the road. When the vacancy is filled, the council will take precautions to reduce the risk of this happening.
‘parents are reminded that they are responsible for their children’s safety at all times.’
The council did not respond to requests for a comment.