BROMLEY: Scrapping lollipop ladies will 'put children's lives at risk' (From News Shopper)

Concern scrapping Bromley lollipop ladies will risk children's lives

9:45am Tuesday 1st February 2011 in News By Michael Purton

PARENTS and lollipop ladies say the planned scrapping of school crossing patrols will “put children’s lives at risk”.

Last month Bromley Council announced plans to axe school crossing patrols from April next year to save £233,000 as part of a long list of cost cutting measures.

This has caused outrage among parents and lollipop ladies, with more than 50 signing a petition outside Hayes Primary School on Friday.

Lynn Martin, who has two children aged seven and five at the school, said: “Taking away the lollipop ladies will put children’s lives at risk.”

The 38-year-old, who lives in Mosslea Road in Bromley, added: “I do not want a child to be killed before the council realises it is an essential part of getting children to school safely.”

Pearl Adams, aged 59, who is the lollipop lady at the school, said: “I’m also a pair of eyes looking out for other dangers to the children besides crossing the road.”

Adele Titford, whose six-year-old daughter attends St Mark’s Primary School in Bromley, says the savings the council makes on lollipop lady salaries will be lost on paying them unemployment benefits.

Mrs Titford, aged 48, of Hayesford Park in Bromley, said: “I have written to the council to ask whether £233,000 is the price of a child’s life.”

Executive councillor for environment Colin Smith says the decision to axe crossing patrols was “extremely painful” but necessary due to “harsh economic circumstances”.

He said the council will work with schools, parent and teacher associations and the community to look at other ways to provide crossing assistance.