A DESPERATE appeal has gone out for a lollipop person to see children safely across busy Downsell Road in Webheath.
The road is home to two schools – Webheath Academy Primary and Mount Carmel Catholic First School – yet hasn’t had anyone in place for two years now.
The road doesn’t even have speed humps or a zebra crossing which means both children and parents have to make their own way to the schools.
Recently the Redditch Standard told how another near miss had prompted one mum to launch a major petition for a crossing, which won the back of local MP Karen Lumley and county councillor Robin Lunn (Lab, Redditch north).
However it’s agreed that by far the best way is with the help of a lollipop person to help the children.
“Ideally it would suit a ‘young retired person’ who wants to play their part in the community,” said Coun Lunn.
The position carries a salary too – £3,500 per annum – and the requirement would be for term-time only.
Meanwhile two new bollards have been put in to further emphasise the crossing point near Webheath School in an effort to slow drivers down and direct pedestrians.
Worcestershire county council’s highways department has also agreed to put in two new signs to promote the crossing point from both directions. These will be erected in the new year.
It is expected that the role of crossing person will be advertised soon by the county.
Coun Lunn added: “Not unconnected, the local highways officer has met with the Head of Mount Carmel about the situation further down the road and some good proposals have come forward which I fully support.”
