CIVIC chiefs should abandon plans to replace a lollipop lady with a zebra crossing outside three Poole schools, parents and teachers say.

The lollipop lady at Canford Heath's Learoyd Road is retiring at the end of the term, but Borough of Poole (BOP) has decided against replacing her.

Canford Heath Infant School, Canford Heath Junior School, Longspee School and Cuddles Day Nursery are all based in the road. Campaigners say more than 1,000 children travel back and forth during term times.

Last year a pupil of the infant school died after a road traffic accident nearby.

TEACH Trust, which runs Canford Heath Infant and Canford Heath Junior, is opposed to the move.

Executive head teacher Kate Carter said: "Parents, staff and trustees are disappointed and annoyed at the proposed loss of the school crossing patrol.

"We absolutely do not agree that the replacement of a lollipop lady with a zebra crossing is a safer and more reliable road crossing option.

"Cllr Sandra Moore, who is one of our trustees, and myself, have both tried in vain to reason with the council to rethink this decision in the interests of all our children's safety."

Last October a seven-year-old Canford Heath Infant School pupil died following a road traffic accident on nearby Sherborn Crescent.

Mrs Carter describes the timing of BOP's decision to remove a crossing lady as "particularly upsetting and ill-thought out."

She added: "Our parents, staff and trustees are rightly upset. We are a children first trust and know that pupils' safety is far more important than saving money."

Meanwhile, Cllr Moore said: "We think this proposal is insensitive coming so soon after the fatal accident.

"This is a school which had to put in support for his classmates following his death and the pupils who witnessed the accident. The school have also invested in road safety training for all pupils.

"We really don’t think a zebra crossing would be as safe for the children as a lollipop lady."

The councillor told the Daily Echo that campaigners have asked BOP to think again about their proposals, at least until after the inquest into the young lad's tragic death has taken place.

Parent Vicky Leppington said: "In light of the recent child fatality I think the peace of mind to have a lollipop lady on duty on Learoyd Road is paramount.

"In other areas of the country where lollipop people have been removed, private companies have paid the salary of the lollipop person."