Council defends lollipop patrol axe after petition

A council has defended its decision to axe a school crossing patrol, despite a petition signed by 1,150 people.

Dorset Council announced it would be ending the lollipop patrol at Ferndown Middle School, Dorset, after installing zebra crossings.

Ward councillors and residents raised concerns about the decision at the July full council meeting.

The council says the new crossings provide a safe place to cross 24 hours a day and it will instead crack down on bad parking outside the school and surrounding roads.

At the full council meeting on Thursday, Ferndown North councillor Mike Parkes claimed the council's administration had either being misleading over claims that a safety assessment had been carried out, or incorrect information had been given to a Freedom of Information request he submitted, which said no assessment had taken place.

Fellow ward councillor Cathy Lugg accused the council of caring more about cats than children, after the meeting earlier passed a motion calling for a change in the law so that people who run over a cat have to report it.

Resident Geoff Middleton told the council meeting that the council decision had left people shocked and disappointed.

"The argument does not sit comfortably with residents. Hundreds of young people from three schools use the crossing," he said.

Responding to questions, place councillor Jon Andrews repeated that the decision was not about saving money but it was council policy not to have school crossing patrols on zebra crossings because it confused drivers.

He said about £300,000 had been spent on roadworks, including the crossing which serves three schools in the area, totalling 1,500 pupils, and is crossed by up to 8,000 cars a day.

Andrews said the council would continue to monitor the area and work with Ferndown Middle School to address driver behaviour and poor parking, possibly using a mobile number plate recognition camera, following a trial at Upton later this year.

He said enforcement officers would be asked to focus patrols in the area, particularly Mountbatten Drive and Peter Grant Way.

He said: "Some of the parking around schools is appalling. We will look at the most appropriate measure and take action at schools where the rules are not being followed."

Lollipop patrol warden Sarah Middleton had been in the job for 18 months but will not be returning in September.