Save our lollipop man
Parents anxious as school crossing faces axe due to cuts
Angry parents are battling to save a popular lollipop man from the axe on a busy Stewartfield road.
Jim McCulloch, 74, has helped youngsters from St Kenneth’s and Kirktonholme primary schools safely cross Stewartfield Crescent at its junction with Lymekilns for the last nine years.
And furious parents say it will only be a matter of time until a child is seriously injured, or worse, if Jim is removed because of council cuts.
A petition has secured 150 signatures – with Jim due to hang up his lollipop this week.
Councillor Graham Simpson, who is chair of the council’s road safety forum, has added his support to the campaign.
Parents say there was a lack of consultation over the decision and have only just learned of the council’s plans.
Mum Rose McWilliams said: “This school crossing patrol is vital in our Stewartfield community, particularly due to the speed of the traffic on this road.
“There is no zebra crossing and no pedestrian crossing on this road. Jim provides that safety for our children on this very busy road.
“From the number of local resident signatures on our petition and the number of children using the school crossing patrol every morning, it is very clear there is real local demand for this service.
“Surely the council can’t afford to put the lives of our children at risk to save a few pounds? I would ask, as a parent and on behalf of my local community, that the council reconsider its plans.”
Parent Sinead Howard said: “Stewartfield Crescent is a busy road which I would have to be very careful crossing never mind primary school children. I only hope no accidents occur as a result of this decision.
“There is also a nursery at the bottom of Lymekilns resulting in a large volume of cars turning onto the road too. To make matters worse South Lanarkshire Council have had no communication or consultation with local parents.
“The crossing on Stewartfield Crescent/ Lymekilns is very well used with large numbers of children being crossed safely by Jim in the morning and after school.”
Councillor Simpson believes there is no justification for Jim to be removed.
“This time last year a consultation was carried out and it was deemed that the road was busy enough to justify a lollipop man,” he said.
“In my and the parents’ view nothing has changed between then and now.
“And as chair of the road safety forum I have always been consulted over any proposals – but this time I knew nothing which I am extremely unhappy about.
“In my view this is simply unjustified and we are asking the council to keep Jim exactly where he is – he is vital to ensure our children are kept safe on a busy road.”
Gordon Mackay, head of South Lanarkshire Council’s roads and transportation services, said: “Following a review of the service, a number of patrollers will continue to be removed on a gradual basis, where it is appropriate to do so. These predominantly cover locations where there are a small number of children using the patrollers.
“Risk assessments have been carried out at locations where it was proposed to remove a patroller to ensure roads could still be crossed safely provided that reasonable care is taken and that children are accompanied by an adult if required.” Residents in East Kilbride and Avondale are being urged to make sure they are registered to vote at the upcoming council elections.
Voters will go to the polls on Thursday, May 4 to decide the make-up of the next South Lanarkshire Council administration.
If you will be aged 16 by polling day and are a British, EU or qualifying Commonwealth citizen, you can register to vote.
You can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote but if you need to check you are registered to vote, contact the electoral registration office on 0800 030 4333.
The deadline for registration is Monday, April 17.
Gary Bennett, electoral registration officer for Lanarkshire Valuation Joint Board, said: “Time is running out to make sure you can take part in the elections this May.
“I’d encourage everyone in South Lanarkshire to take action now if they’re not already registered to vote.
“It’s quick and easy to register but after the deadline on Easter Monday, it will be too late.”
I only hope no accidents occur as a result of this