Temporary crossing for school losing lollipop lady

Parents campaigned to save the school's crossing patrol after council cuts

A temporary pedestrian crossing will be installed at a primary school where a long-standing lollipop lady was made redundant.

Peterborough City Council cut crossing patrols at four schools in Eye, Old Fletton, Newark Hill and Werrington to save money.

Eye Primary School on Eyebury Road is currently without a crossing as funding for a permanent Zebra Crossing is not expected until 2026.

Angus Ellis, the council's cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "We take the concerns of school pupils and parents extremely seriously."

Ellis said the council and the city's MP, Andrew Pakes, had considered calls for safety measures in a petition from residents.

"That is why we have acted to make sure that a temporary crossing is installed here," he said.

Angus Ellis said the council had listened to concerns raised in a petition

Pakes said he welcomed the news, adding: "The worst outcome would have been leaving the school without any safety measures at all.

"Council funding may be limited, but that should never mean compromising on children's safety."

Eye Primary School's lollipop lady, Lisa Bryan, is due to finish in the summer, after being made redundant following more than 25 years of work.

More than 800 local people signed a petition asking for "continuous safety provision" outside the school until a new zebra crossing is installed, in addition to the current 20mph (32km/h) speed limit.

A zebra crossing is set to be built as part of a planned 265-home development nearby, but the council expects that the funding will not be available until 2026.

Crossings and speed restrictions were already in place at the other schools where patrols have been axed, according to the council.

It is expected that the new temporary crossing will be in place, ready for the new term in September.