Lollipop lady relocated after being hit by driver

A lollipop lady who helps children and families cross Featherstall Road in Littleborough has had to be moved to another site because of fears the road is becoming too dangerous.

The lollipop lady was hit by a driver who ignored the school crossing stop sign and as a result has been relocated to protect her safety.

However this now leaves the dangerous road unmanned.

Tammy Grey, Impact’s School Crossing Patrol Supervisor said: “We employ our school crossing patrols to make sure families and children are safe getting to school; but we also have a duty of care to our employees. The decision to relocate the patrol was not taken lightly but Featherstall Road is simply proving to be too dangerous. We are currently reviewing the options and identifying funding to make it safer to cross this road.

Ms Grey advises that parents and children use the pedestrian island further up the road, she said: “It might mean walking a few hundred yards extra, but it’s worth it when lives are at risk.”

Councillor Jean Ashworth, Chair of Pennines Township Committee at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “It’s simply unacceptable for rushing drivers to be putting lives at risk in this way by refusing to stop at lollipop crossings. The safety of pedestrians has to be our main concern right now and hope we can find a suitable solution to this problem soon before something tragic happens.”

This incident has happened only weeks after the council and police carried out a highly visible operation to catch dangerous drivers who are refusing to stop at the crossing, putting pedestrians in danger.

Following the removal of the crossing patrol, parents of children at nearby St Mary’s Primary School have had a letter to tell them about the situation. The council and Impact Partnership are now working with the school to discuss alternative arrangements.