YOUR correspondent Geoff Key (Letters, August 17) asks if two lollipop ladies are really necessary at the Ringwood Road crossing near Wallisdown Roundabout.

I have the utmost regard for our school crossing patrollers who are well meaning and out in all weathers but, as the council is exhorted to cut costs everywhere, it is time for a thorough re-appraisal of the entire system.

Outside a school in Boscombe there is a pelican crossing and a lollipop lady stationed a few metres away so when the lights are green for vehicles they are held up by the lollipop lady and when she returns to the kerb the lights invariably go red forcing everyone to stop twice.

On Kinson Road the very young children come out of their school earlier than the older children so are usually met by their parents.

These youngsters love to run on ahead to press the crossing button before waiting for their parents to catch up so they are fully aware of how to operate the system safely.

About 15 minutes later the older children arrive and instead of using her lollipop the lady operates the crossing for them.

If seven-year-olds are capable of pushing the button themselves why do 14-year-olds need someone to do it for them?

Recreation Road which runs alongside Branksome Rec must be one of the most dangerous roads in the borough as it has so many humps, hollows, chicanes, pinch points and other traffic calming "initiatives" that motorists are too occupied negotiating these to actually look out for children.

The authorities seem blissfully unaware of the fact that most children live several blocks away from their school or recreation ground and have to cross many other roads in order to reach their destination.

If they can negotiate all these other roads without mishap, why do they need wrapping in cotton wool for the final few metres of their journey?

GRAHAM CRIBB, Branksome Wood Road, Bournemouth