Safety fears over plan to ditch lollipop lady
PARENTS have slammed a decision to remove a school lollipop lady amid fears their children’s safety could be put at risk.
Manchester council announced plans to axe a crossing near Sandilands Primary School on Wendover Road in Wythenshawe by Christmas, blaming financial constraints.
Council leaders say the implementation of bollards along the road means the school has been rerated as only needing one crossing patrol not two.
But parents who use the crossing, which covers a section of busy road and a junction, say their lives would become a ‘nightmare’ if it were lost.
Mums and dads have also expressed anger as the decision will mean the loss of much-loved lollipop lady, Linda, who has been helping children cross the road for almost a decade.
When we visited Wendover Road at the junction of Ferndown Road at 8.30am on a Thursday morning, the road was extremely busy.
Cars, vans and the occasional lorry pass through at speeds varying from anywhere between 20mph to 40mph.
At least 50 parents, grandparents and children were assisted by Linda, who knows everyone’s name and asks them about their day as she ensures they safely cross the road.
Kelly Taylor and her son Archie use the crossing every day. “I am 40 and went to the school myself. There’s always been a crossing here,” the mum-of-four s aid.
“It’s disgusting that they’ve decided to get rid of it; it’s always busy and people come round that corner very, very quickly.
“All the kids know her and usually Archie will go over and give her a big kiss, just like most of the other children do.”
Melinda Cosh, who has two children at Sandilands school, said: “My son is going into year six and if we lose the crossing he’ll lose his independence.
“There’s no way I would let him walk to school on his own without Linda, it’s far too dangerous.”
Parents say they were told about the decision in a newsletter. In it, the school said: “School governors are also looking at this decision and have written to the council with their concerns.”
Manchester City Council have been contacted for comment.