PARENTS say they fear for the safety of their children after the transfer of a lollipop lady from Leigh Road, Westhoughton. The crossing patrol which served Washacre County Primary School has been transferred to Park Road to serve Chequerbent School and there are no plans for a replacement at present. Leigh Road has a pelican crossing, installed after a long campaign by residents, but parents say they feel much safer with the lollipop lady helping their children to cross the busy road.

Headteacher Mr Allan Ralphs, says he is very concerned and has written to parents asking them to make sure that their children are escorted across the road. He urges parents of older children to ensure they can use the crossing properly.

"It is an extremely busy road and is notorious for drivers who do not observe the traffic lights there," said Mr Ralphs.

One parent has written to local councillors, including town mayor Cllr Brian Clare, and chairman of Bolton Council's Highways Committee, Cllr Peter Finch, to try and win support for the reinstatement of a crossing warden.

She said: "I have a child at the school and even though I always walk with him to school and use the pelican crossing, we feel much safer with the school crossing patrol helping us across. Older children who to go to school alone are more at risk."

She and many other parents have signed a petition organised by Mrs Jenny Collins, of Leigh Road, asking for the lollipop lady to be retained.

Parents say cars often break the 30mph speed limit, some cars have failed to stop even when the lollipop lady has been in the middle of the road and say there are times when vehicles have not noticed the lights and screeched to a halt.

Cllr Clare said he had received complaints about the speed of traffic on Leigh Road. He believes the crossing is sited in the wrong place. We should reassess the value of the crossing in the place where it is now," he said.

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