Victory for lollipop woman axed by council who claimed zebra crossing was safer after uproar from local people

A much-loved lollipop lady who was axed after council bosses claimed a zebra crossing was safer has been reinstated following uproar from the local community.

Lauren Cannon had helped children get safely to and from their primary school in the Dorset village of Lytchett Matravers for four years.

But following the installation of a zebra crossing on the 30mph road last year, the county council decided to scrap her £7,000-a-year role, claiming her presence would ‘confuse drivers’. 

The move caused an outcry, with parents branding the decision ‘shocking’ and ‘disgusting’. 

They also raised concerns that without a lollipop lady the road might turn into a ‘dangerous rat run’. 

Locals launched a petition to save Ms Cannon’s position and officials were forced to think again, when during their visit to the site, there was a car crash on the road. 

Dorset Council, which is run by the Liberal Democrats, has now agreed to find another crossing point for her to supervise further down the road. 

Zoe Rawlings, who led the campaign, said: ‘As parents, we are absolutely delighted with the decision to retain our lollipop lady.

Lauren Cannon (pictured) had helped children get safely to and from their primary school in the Dorset village of Lytchett Matravers for four years

Charlotte Wingfield’s (right) seven-year-old daughter Brooklyn-Mai (left) is visually impaired and said the Lauren is vital for helping her cross the road safely

‘It’s such a relief for us knowing that Lauren is going to be staying. She is over the moon, she was buzzing when I saw her.

‘They are going to move her further down the road, away from the zebra crossing and I know a lot of parents have already said they are going to walk that bit further to cross with her, just so it’s safe.

‘There was actually a car accident on the road on Monday – an older man drove into a stationary car so hard it moved up onto the wall, so he must have been going some speed.

‘But it happened while Dorset Council were there talking to the lollipop lady so that showed that accidents do happen.’

Charlotte Wingfield, whose seven-year-old daughter Brooklyn-Mai is visually impaired, also contested the decision to scrap Ms Cannon’s role. 

She said: ‘Lauren isn’t just our lollipop lady, she’s a pillar of the community. We value her so much and she is vital outside the school. 

‘Drivers are so dangerous there. They shoot past the school, probably unaware that there is a school there. The zebra crossing is ignored.

‘Brooklyn-Mai’s vision is very low so she’s sometimes unable to tell if a car has actually stopped at the crossing or not.

‘I think it’s really disgusting that Dorset Council have done this and I’m worried for my daughter. She will find it very difficult if Lauren goes.

‘There’s other visually-impaired children at the school and the council know that because their vision support service visits the school so they see how dangerous this road is.’

The new zebra crossing (pictured) outside Lytchett Matravers Primary School

Dorset Council first tried to axe Ms Cannon’s position last year after the new crossing was installed.

The local parish council then contested the decision, saying they would pay her £7,000 annual salary. 

But county hall officials announced in February their school crossing patrol policy had changed and that having a lollipop lady on a zebra crossing could confuse motorists.

They decided to ban Ms Cannon from operating outside the primary school, with the job expected to cease at the end of March.

A Dorset Council spokesperson said they have now agreed that she can remain.

They said: ‘We understand how important the School Crossing Patrol (SCP) is to families in Lytchett Matravers and we’ve listened carefully to the school and the parish council.

‘Our priority remains keeping children safe.

‘Dorset Council recently updated its SCP policy. Following changes nationally, patrols should not be placed on zebra crossings because a zebra crossing already instructs drivers that they must stop for people waiting to cross, as set out in the Highway Code.

‘Adding a patrol on top of this can make it less clear what drivers are expected to do, increasing risk rather than reducing it.

‘Moving the SCP to a separate point away from the crossing removes that risk.

‘We are working with Lytchett Matravers Primary School and the parish council to agree a new separate safe crossing point at the southern entrance to the site.

‘This will allow the SCP role to continue, supported by the parish council.

‘We’re committed to putting these new arrangements in place quickly so families have clarity and children can continue to travel to school safely and confidently.’