To think school crossing patrols are important?

[OhSoGraceful]

Local council is going to stop funding them, leaving schools the choice of paying for their own (budgets already stretched, taking money from education budget),or losing altogether (putting lives at risk).

Surely this is a bad idea?

I agree, but then I would because I'm a lollipop lady

I think sponsorship by local/national companies is the way to go. Most school crossing patrols cost less than £180,000 per year, which I'm sure some businesses would be willing to pay, in return for us wearing their logo on our uniforms.

My council is looking into it as it seems to be working in some areas.

Our council have been offered a variety of different ways of funding, but it seems, now they've reached a decision, they won't back down, no matter what is on offer.

Feels like pigheadedness prioritised over sense. Ours is only £250 000 for all regional patrols, a lot when budgets are tight, but can be found elsewhere.

Worra - I never knew you were a lollipop lady :-)

I do think though, that each crossing patrol needs looking at individually to see if they're really necessary.

The traffic has improved no end near one of my local schools since the lollipop lady has been removed- there was a T junction with traffic lights, about 4 car lengths down was a separate pedestrian crossing, and they had a lollipop lady who just used to press the crossing button repeatedly (no matter if anyone was even waiting to cross or not!)

Half the kids didn't even use to cross at the crossing with the lollipop lady because they crossed at the T junction instead.

So some crossing patrols could be removed without putting lives at risk, then maybe councils would have space in the budget for those that are necessary.

Generally, the council have already got rid of all the crossings which aren't totally necessary. I can't think of any locally, which operate at points where a zebra or pelican is available.

Fair enough, our council must not have been so stringent in the past! Not far away they also had a lollipop lady on a zebra crossing, both patrols went in January.

Funnily enough I was thinking about it this morning.

Our crossing lady is lovely and yesterday when I crossed during the day I realised what a dangerous road it was as the cars do not want to stop, also what a fantastic job she does. Out in all weathers and friendly all the time too.

Luckily the head has said that the school will find a way of raising the funds and retaining her.

Yes I agree they are important as I am also a lollipop lady! The road i am on has 2 primary schools, a high school a nursery and a college! It is bedlam most of the time.