Hundreds of people are urging Havering Council to bring in crossing patrol attendants to improve safety for pupils crossing the road outside two schools.

Conservative councillor Judith Holt presented two petitions at a full council meeting last month.

The petitions call for the introduction of school crossing patrols in Globe Road, Romford outside Hylands Primary School and at The Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls in Brentwood Road. 

They have 430 and 230 signatures respectively.

Both schools have zebra crossings outside but Cllr Holt believes "it is very dangerous" for pupils.

Romford Recorder: Councillor Judith Holt holds a copy of the petition to appoint a lollipop man or a lady outside Hylands Primary School in RomfordCouncillor Judith Holt holds a copy of the petition to appoint a lollipop man or a lady outside Hylands Primary School in Romford (Image: Cllr Judith Holt)

 

She told the Recorder:  “There are no buttons anyone can press to stop the traffic…it's basically taking their life in their own hands.

"I think it is an accident waiting to happen."

Cllr Holt bemoaned the reduction in lollipop people, who help to direct children while crossing roads.

She told the council meeting: “I started primary school nearly 50 years ago and one of the people I remember most clearly is our lollipop lady.

"Now sadly over the years there don’t seem to be so many around the borough of Havering.”

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Christine Gentle, joint headteacher at The Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls, welcomed the petition.

She said: “With over 1,400 students at the school, the crossing is busy and despite the traffic calming measures along Brentwood Road, people still drive too fast and without due care.

"We do have measures in place to stagger the flow of students leaving the school to help with the safe crossing; however, we would be very happy to talk with the local authority and council about other ways in which we could improve the safety on the roads around the school.”

Havering Council, in its latest budget presented in March, proposed to remove the existing school crossing patrol attendants in the borough - saving £63,000.

A council spokesperson said it is carrying out a review of all existing school crossing patrol locations.

They added: “As part of the review, consideration is being given to sites where there is a crossing already in place, such as zebra and pelican crossings. 

"We’ll also take into consideration how well used they are during the busiest periods.

“The same consideration will be made to locations listed in the recent petitions we’ve received.”

Hylands Primary declined to comment.