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Peterborough petition to save lollipop patrols to be considered
Peterborough petition to save lollipop patrols to be considered

BBC News

time3 days ago

  • Politics
  • BBC News

Peterborough petition to save lollipop patrols to be considered

A petition calling to reinstate school crossing patrols at four primary schools in a city will be considered by City Council announced cuts to crossing patrols at primary schools in Eye, Old Fletton, Newark Hill and Werrington to save money, leaving lollipop men and women the petition was signed by 553 people, the council confirmed it would be debated at a full council meeting on 23 July. Nyree Ambarchian, who lives in Werrington and started the petition, said the parents of pupils were "horrified" by the action and wanted the council to re-examine the cuts. The authority said the cuts were "one of a number of difficult decisions" that needed to be made in order to balance the Ambarchian said: "The strength of feeling can be seen in how the petition gathered so many signatures so quickly."We're not sure why the council would take the very real risk that a small child will be injured for what is a relatively minuscule budget saving. "It seems like a dereliction of duty." 'Before tragedy strikes' Peterborough City Council said crossings and speed restrictions, such at 20mph zones, would be in place at each of the schools, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. At the full council meeting councillors will be able to either take the action requested, ask its officers to investigate, refer the decision to either cabinet or the relevant scrutiny committee for investigation or note the petition and comments but take no further action.A spokesperson for the petition said: "Let's not wait for a child to be injured or killed before we take action - we call on councillors to do it before tragedy strikes."School crossing patrols are an essential part of ensuring children can safely cross roads, particularly near busy schools and roads with high traffic volumes. "These patrols play a key and proven role in preventing accidents."Angus Ellis, a Labour councillor and cabinet member for environment and transport on the authority, said the council takes the concerns of school pupils and parents "extremely seriously". Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

"This leaves me worried for the future safety of our children" – families rally against cuts to lollipop crossings
"This leaves me worried for the future safety of our children" – families rally against cuts to lollipop crossings

Auto Car

time08-07-2025

  • Auto Car

"This leaves me worried for the future safety of our children" – families rally against cuts to lollipop crossings

Families across the UK are campaigning to stem the decline in school crossing patrol officers, otherwise known as lollipop men and women, in the face of council cutbacks. They argue the roles are still needed, given that new police data released in June reported that 413 pedestrians were killed in 2024, an increase of 2% compared with 2023, amounting to a quarter of all road-related deaths. People aged 16 years and under accounted for 4% of these deaths and 10% of those injured. The figures have been released against a background of reductions in school crossing patrols, the numbers of which have halved in the past 10 years but which their supporters insist make roads safer for children. Croydon Council is one of the latest to scrap its lollipop patrollers, with schools losing them at the end of the current term. 'This decision leaves me worried for the future safety of our children,' said a parent of children attending one of the six affected schools. 'The presence of lollipop men and women is essential.' A Croydon Council spokesperson said 'most patrols were phased out many years ago' and risk assessments for the remaining sites will result in a new permanent crossing at one and temporary crossings at three more. Elsewhere, alarmed by the withdrawal of their schools' crossing officers, concerned parents around the country have taken to campaign platforms to rally support for their reinstatement. Among them is one to save the crossing officer at Dalbeattie High School near Dumfries in Scotland, which also has a nursery and a primary school nearby. Diana Finnigan, whose 10-year-old grandson attends the primary school, is opposing the council's decision to withdraw crossing staff and has started an online petition that has so far attracted 500 signatures. 'I live close to the school and see every day how dangerous the roads outside it are for children,' she said. 'Local councillors say the children can use the light-controlled crossings but you can't assume every child, especially young ones, will. Some just ignore the lights and dash across, risking their lives. I've seen cars jump the lights too.' A spokesman for Dumfries and Galloway Council confi rmed its intention to withdraw crossing patrol officers from the school. 'Elected members of the council chose to remove crossing patrol staff from automated crossings,' he said. 'Council offi cers are preparing communications so that parents and carers are aware of the changes.'

What kind of country is this, where a lollipop man can't high-five the kids?
What kind of country is this, where a lollipop man can't high-five the kids?

Telegraph

time21-06-2025

  • General
  • Telegraph

What kind of country is this, where a lollipop man can't high-five the kids?

When my three children attended the local state primary school, we had a wonderful lollipop lady called Moreen who would safely escort them across the busiest road in the village. The children adored her and would often buy her chocolate bars from the village newsagents. Moreen was a bit of a local legend. As well as helping with the children, she volunteered at the village football club, called the bingo numbers at the village hall, worked in the local village café – and even manned the village post office at one point. When she passed away quite suddenly several years ago, the village was bereft – we'd lost one of those community-spirited people who willingly sacrificed their time for the benefit of others. You would have thought any local authority – propped up by ever increasing amounts of taxpayers' cash – would cherish these sorts of stalwarts. But no. This week we learnt that a lollipop man in East Yorkshire has been told he can no longer high-five children while they are crossing the road because it slows down traffic. Neil Cotton, 57, has spent the past two years working as a school crossing patrol officer in Howden, where he has formed a close bond with the children from the infant, junior and secondary schools as they crossed the junction known locally as Cross Keys Corner. But in a social media post he announced that he would not be able to high-five the children anymore, because 'it upsets some drivers having to wait another 10 seconds'. Clearly some idiotic and impatient drivers had complained – and rather than telling them to slow down, and take more care driving around at school drop-off and pick-up – the council has sided against Mr Cotton. A council fun sponge, sorry, spokesman said it was 'vitally important children learn to cross the road safely, without any distractions'. How utterly ridiculous. It takes seconds to give a child a high-five and put a smile on their face. No doubt some jobsworth at the council has decreed it poses a health and safety problem – even though pandering to road rage-prone commuters poses an even greater risk.

Council bans lollipop man from high-fiving children as they cross the road because of health and safety concerns and claims it 'slows down traffic'
Council bans lollipop man from high-fiving children as they cross the road because of health and safety concerns and claims it 'slows down traffic'

Daily Mail​

time18-06-2025

  • General
  • Daily Mail​

Council bans lollipop man from high-fiving children as they cross the road because of health and safety concerns and claims it 'slows down traffic'

A much-loved lollipop man has been banned from high-fiving schoolchildren as they cross the road – because council officials claim it causes traffic delays and poses a health and safety risk. Neil Cotton, 57, has spent the last two years brightening up the school run in the East Yorkshire town of Howden with his cheerful attitude and signature high fives. But the school crossing patrol officer has now been told by East Riding of Yorkshire Council to stop the friendly gesture at once – because it's seen as a 'distraction' and could make children forget how to cross the road safely. The stunned lollipop man took to social media to share the bizarre order, telling parents and supporters: 'I have been instructed that I can no longer high-five children any more whilst crossing the road. 'This is because it upsets some drivers having to wait another 10 seconds.' The junction, locally known as Cross Keys Corner, sees children from infant, junior and secondary schools cross the road daily and for many, Neil's high fives have become a happy part of the morning routine. But now council killjoys have stepped in, saying children should be focused 'without any distractions'. The post, which has since been removed, sparked outrage from local parents with many branding the decision 'absurd' and 'ridiculous'. Mother-of-one Kirsty Wilcox told BBC Look North: 'I think it's wrong. Why shouldn't he, what's wrong with it? 'It puts a smile on the kids' faces. My son does it all the time. But now he gets upset because he's not allowed to do it.' Fellow parent Theresa Holt said: 'It's silly. It takes literally seconds and it gives that child that little bit of happiness. He's great with my little boy and he sees him as a friendly face.' Even drivers weighed in on the row – with many defending Mr Cotton and blasting the council's 'over-the-top' approach. Tony Brooke said: 'It's absurd. Just to high five to them, I don't see there's a problem with that. 'He's going to hold the traffic up to let the kids across so I wouldn't have thought it would add any more time to people's journeys at all. It's crazy.' Another motorist, Michael Dalton, added: 'I think it's a bit OTT to be honest. It's a bit PC [political correctness] going crazy again. As a driver, we need to be a bit more courteous, certainly at school times.' In a statement, East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: 'It is vitally important that children learn to cross the road safely, concentrating without any distractions, walking carefully and being vigilant of the traffic. 'In this particular case, one of our officers spoke with this crossing patrol and simply reminded them of the need not to have distractions while children are crossing. 'However, we are confident they will continue doing a fantastic job and they are much appreciated.' Mr Cotton also revealed he has been told not to help guide larger vehicles around the junction because of fears the council could face legal action if there was an accident.

Lollipop man told to stop giving children high fives by council
Lollipop man told to stop giving children high fives by council

The Independent

time18-06-2025

  • General
  • The Independent

Lollipop man told to stop giving children high fives by council

A lollipop man has been told by a council he can no longer high five children in case they are distracted while crossing the road. Neil Cotton, 57, had been working as a school crossing patrol officer in Howden, East Yorkshire, for two years, when he shared on social media that he had been 'instructed that I can NO LONGER high five the children anymore whilst crossing the road' and 'NO LONGER guide the larger vehicles across Cross Keys Corner to eliminate the chances of legal action if there were to be an accident.' Mr Cotton helps children from pre-school, primary and secondary schools cross the junction known as Cross Keys Corner, of which he warned drivers to 'be careful at the junction as there will be large vehicles in the middle of the road AND some larger vehicles will have no option but to mount the pavements.' The local community shared their dismay over the decision, with Kirsty Wilcox telling BBC Look North that her son was upset that he was no longer allowed to high five the school crossing patrol officer. 'I think it's wrong. Why shouldn't he, what's wrong with it?' She added: 'It puts a smile on the kids' faces.' Another parent, Theresa Holt, said: 'It's silly. It takes literally seconds and it gives that child that little bit of happiness. He's great with my little boy and he sees him as a friendly face.' Drivers have also protested against the move, with Michael Dalton calling the move 'a bit OTT.' 'As a driver, we need to be a bit more courteous, certainly at school times' he added. Driver Tony Brooke described the move as 'absurd', adding he saw no problem with Mr Cotton high fiving the children. 'He's going to hold the traffic up to let the kids across so I wouldn't have thought it would add any more time to people's journeys at all. It's crazy.' A spokesperson from East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: 'We value all our school crossing patrols, they are pillars of the community, and do a very important job – meeting and greeting children, parents and pedestrians and helping to keep them safe while crossing the road. 'It is vitally important that children learn to cross the road safely, concentrating without any distractions, walking carefully and being vigilant of the traffic. 'In this particular case, one of our officers spoke with this crossing patrol and simply reminded them of the need not to have distractions while children are crossing. 'However, we are confident they will continue doing a fantastic job and they are much appreciated."

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