Cuts see lollipop ladies axed

The number of lollipop ladies protecting schoolchildren across the country is on the decline amid ongoing council cutbacks, figures show.

Local councils in England have lain off almost 1,000 lollipop-wielding crossing staff in the last four years, according to recently published data.

The figures, published in the Mirror newspaper, came as a result of a freedom of information request sent by shadow local government minister Andy Sawford to every English county council.

The data shows that almost 992 crossing patrol workers have been axed since May 2010 but, with 121 local authorities unable to provide data, the actual figure is expected to be significantly higher.

Sawford was reported as saying: “Unrepaired potholes, streetlights being switched off and cuts to bus services are already making it more dangerous for children to get to school. Parents will be alarmed.”

There are currently around 8,000 lollipop ladies in the UK.
In 2012 there were 6,106 children hurt in road accidents before or after school, with 827 being seriously injured or killed.

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