Coventry school wins battle to get crossing warden back...

Parents and pupils at a Coventry primary school have won their battle to get a crossing warden back at their gates.



There has not been anyone helping children at Whoberley Hall Primary School cross the road since the previous lollipop lady retired in January and was not replaced.

The position was said to be under review but parents of pupils at the school, in Overdale Road, Whoberley, were given no indication of when a new warden would be appointed.

After months of campaigning and hundreds of signatures being submitted on a petition, the council has now agreed to recruit a new lollipop man or woman for the pupils.

The new warden will cover the Wildcroft Road entrance which parents say is the most dangerous.

Emma Smith, of Raphael Close, Whoberley, who has three children at the school, said: “The road is quite dangerous and cars speed along it.

“It’s fantastic we have got a new crossing warden. We had several petitions going round and have all raised our opinions so I’m glad something has finally come of it.”

Julie Trevis, of Rubens Close, Whoberley, had applied for the job as soon as the last crossing warden left, but the council said it was not taking on any new applicants.

She said: “The traffic is terrible on Wildcroft Road. Quite a few children from around here try to cross on their own and it panics me because the road is so dangerous.

“Cars come down the road really fast and with cars parked all along it, the kids can’t see in between.”

The grandmother of two, who has been a lunchtime assistant at Earlsdon Primary School for 29 years, welcomed the news.

She added: “There had been a crossing warden there for as long as I can remember and sometimes when I see kids trying to cross I help them, so the role is definitely needed here.”

Her daughter-in-law Kate Trevis said: “The road is a cut-through for traffic when the A45 is busy, especially in the mornings.

"A crossing warden is definitely required for here. There is no way I would let my sons cross the road without someone on patrol.”

One of the petitions to get a new crossing warden at the school was submitted by local councillors Bally Singh and Dan Howells (Lab, Whoberley).

Coun Singh said: “This area and school often gets ignored because it is so small, so when we found out the council wasn’t going to replace the crossing warden we started getting the petition together and putting pressure on the council to reinstate one.

“The council has said they will recruit now, so the pressure has paid off and we’re delighted the kids will soon be able to cross safely.”