Lollipop cuts threat make dad cross

SAFETY first . . . Michael and James Bishop at the pelican crossing in Denton Lane, Chadderton

A CONCERNED dad has slammed planned funding cuts for Oldham’s lollipop men and women.

Michael Bishop (50), of Block Lane, Chadderton, walks his four-year-old son James to and from Christ Church School every day.

He fears the crossing patrol in busy Denton Lane, just up the road from the Crawley Way primary, could be scrapped because she is situated by a pelican crossing.

It appears she may have already gone — but Oldham Council has refused to confirm whether the lollipop lady has been ditched, moved, or is just temporarily absent.

Mr Bishop branded the borough-wide cuts as wrong, saying they were “playing with children’s lives.”

He added: “Scrapping funding for lollipop people is an appalling decision.

“I was halfway across the pelican crossing in Denton Lane the other day when a 4x4 car raced through —even though the lights were on red.

“Our school lollipop lady is a physical barrier making sure cars do not ignore the traffic lights and that children cross safely.”

Last month, Oldham Council performed a U-turn on plans to cut funding for lollipop men and women in a bid to save £180,000.

The council had wanted schools to provide crossing patrols, but is now conducting a safety review to look at what crossing provision is needed.

However, £75,000 has still been cut from next year’s school crossing patrol budget.

Mr Bishop said he accepted the council needed to make cutbacks but it should not compromise children’s safety — especially on a road as busy as Denton Lane where accidents have happened before.

He said: “I walk my son to school but when he is older, he will walk there himself so I’m worried for the future. Once lollipop people have gone, it will be twice as difficult to re-instate them.”

Councillor John McCann is Oldham Council’s Cabinet member for regeneration and environment.

He said: “Oldham Council is committed to undertaking a full review of school crossing patrol provision and this will be a risk-based approach in accordance with the Government’s road safety guidelines.

“The safety of all schoolchildren on their way to and from school is a priority for the council.

“We are not in a position to comment on individual patrols at this time.”