School crossing patrols hit out at Council proposals

Don Frain, a 'lollipop' man on Whitworth Road

Following the news revealed by Rochdale Online two weeks ago that the council is proposing to force schools to meet the costs of school crossing patrols, two 'lollipop' people have spoken out.

The Council stands accused of a proposal that will force schools to choose between pupil safety or their quality of education.

Don Frain, who has worked as a lollipop man for 13 years, said: “I understand the council need to make these budget cuts, but surely the safety of our children should be a higher priority?

“There are so many cars on the road and people do speed down Whitworth Road; we need to take care of our children.

“Some of the younger children have no sense of road safety and run out across the road."

Lollipop lady of five years, Amisa Kiza, said: "The safety of the children should be a higher priority as it gets very busy during the morning drop off. If I weren't here, there would definitely be a higher risk of accidents.

"Some of the children just don't look, and some of the drivers don't care to stop, they seem as though you're inconveniencing them. "

Vicky Parker, a mother who uses the crossing service Don provides, said: "I don't think the schools should pay.

"This is a busy road, and a lot of cars just don't stop. We don't like crossing without Don, we feel safer with him here."

Another parent, Tabasam Zaman, said: "Schools already have a lot on their plate, to have this on their heads is too much.

"It is a busy main road and it's safer and more convenient to cross here than the traffic lights further down."

A third mother, Christina Faulkner, said: "It is tough with the morning rush because cars don't stop.

"I think the proposal is a bit silly really because don't the schools already have a lot to pay for?"

Council leader Richard Farnell previously told Rochdale Online: "No decision has been made. It is a proposal out to consultation."

• http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/105485/councils-crazy-decision-is-an-abdication-of-responsibility