A LOLLIPOP lady fears ‘children will lose their lives’ after the council prepares to axe her position outside a school.
Sarah Middleton, 53, has managed the school crossing patrol outside Ferndown Middle School on Church Road for 18 months but is set to be terminated at the end of term.
Although Dorset Council has stated the decision is not financially motivated, ward councillors claim the authority is putting “finances over the safety of children”.
Sarah said the community have been campaigning for a zebra crossing or school crossing patrol on the road since her children, who are now adults, were at school.
“It is such a busy road, it is a lot to manage,” she said.
Dorset Council installed two new zebra crossings last year and said a lollipop lady on the same road ‘confuses drivers’.
However, Sarah said the crossings are not enough to keep children safe and has experienced dangerous drivers in the area.
“Some cars do not even stop for me,” she said.
“I have had some near misses. I have been swerved around.”
She has also raised concerns about inconsiderate parking outside the school on zig zag lines, which are meant to keep sightlines clear for drivers approaching zebra crossings.
Sarah added that many children are not road-aware and are often looking at their phones when crossing the road or speeding across on bicycles.
Although Sarah was aware her contract would likely not be renewed by Dorset Council, she understood that Ferndown Town Council were reportedly prepared to takeover the funding.
However, Dorset Council has recently amended the policy meaning a school crossing patrol is no longer permitted on the road.
“Children are going to get hurt. It could be worse than just an accident,” she said.
Sarah added: “For this particular junction and this road it’s needed, because children could are going to lose their lives.”
A Dorset Council spokesperson said the zebra crossings were a ‘significant investment’ to keep children and pedestrians safe both during the school day and outside.
“This road is not only used at school times, but is also an important route for people walking to and from the town centre,” they said.
"We understand and recognise parents' concerns.
“School Crossing Patrol officers are highly valued by families, carers, communities and Dorset Council, and where a patrol is needed and meets our policy criteria, we continue to fully fund and support these roles.
"However, having a zebra crossing and school crossing patrol in the same location can create confusion about who drivers should respond to.”
It was said zebra crossings increase driver awareness and anticipation, and that road-users are legally required to stop at crossings.
"Everyone wants to keep children safe, and we don’t take those concerns raised lightly,” the spokesperson said.
“Our decisions are guided by safety and a desire to provide clear and consistent crossing arrangements.”
It was also said in a recent cabinet meeting that the council recognise concerns about parking at school drop off and pick up times.
Dorset Council are reportedly working with schools and families to ‘encourage safer behaviour and reduce congestion around schools’.
Ferndown North ward councillors, Mike Parkes and Cathy Lugg, have opposed the decision and said they ‘refute’ that a zebra crossing and a lollipop lady confuses drivers.
They said when the council were asked for evidence of driver confusion, none was given.
Cllr Parkes said a council officer has since said they would consider allowing Ferndown Town Council to fund the lollipop lady position.
He said this is “inconsistent” with the council’s earlier statement and said: “They are putting finances over the safety of children.”
However, when approached by the Echo, Dorset Council maintain the decision is not financially motivated.
A spokesperson for Ferndown Town Council said: "Ferndown Town Council attaches significant importance to the safety and wellbeing of the community and was concerned to learn of Dorset Council’s decision to withdraw the school crossing patrol on Church Road.
"The Town Council recognises the vital function this role serves, particularly in supporting the safety of younger residents, and its broader contribution to safeguarding our community.
"Councillor Wilson, Mayor of Ferndown Town Council, has requested that Dorset Council’s decision is debated by the Town Council at the next Full Council meeting in May, at which point we will be able to provide a further update."
A Change.org petition has since been set up titled ‘Keep the school crossing lady at Ferndown Middle safe and funded’.
It has so far gained more than 650 signatures.
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