“Lollipop lady” injured in road accident

A SCHOOL crossing attendant has been injured in a serious road accident at Warrington – ironically near to the street where she normally sees children across the road.
The accident occurred during the Christmas holiday period, so the “Lollipop lady” was not at work at the time.
But the injuries she received mean the crossing in Marsh House Lane will be without a crossing attendant for some time.
Fairfield and Howley councillor Keven Bennett (pictured)  has taken the matter up with the highways department and with Cllr Hans Mundry, the borough council’s lead member for highways and transportation.
Cllr Bennett said he had handed in a petition last October from residents concerned that the Marsh House Lane crossing had been without a “Lollipop person” for 13 weeks.
Now it seemed the crossing was to be unattended again.
Cllr Bennett said: “This accident again shows how dangerous this stretch of road is.
“I appreciate that this is a difficult situation and my sympathy goes out to the ‘Lollipop’ lady and her family. But I hope everything possible will be done to find a temporary replacement is found to make sure children are given safe access across this busy road.
“I also hope everything that can be done to ensure that this ‘Lollipop’
lady’s job is safe.
“I sincerely hope that there are no accidents involving our children during the period that they are without a School Crossing Person.”
A spokesman for the council’s traffic management unit said it was understood the crossing attendant would be absent from her duties for some time.
“We will of investigate whether there are options available to us for a
temporary replacement although we do not have a relief system of school crossing patrols and the recruitment of patrols can be difficult and a
lengthy process. Therefore, the Marsh House Lane School Crossing Patrol site is likely to be vacant for some months.
“We have contacted Beamont Primary and St Benedict’s Primary schools requesting that the school community is advised of the patrol’s absence and people are encouraged to take extra care crossing the road until the member of staff returns.”
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