Fears grow over plans to replace lollipop patrols with permanent crossings
School crossing patrols could disappear from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole under council plans to replace them with permanent crossings
Lollipop patrols across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole could be scrapped and replaced with permanent zebra crossings.
The proposals form part of a wider programme by BCP Council to improve walking routes and road safety around schools.
They follow a public consultation in 2023 in which 73% of respondents supported replacing school crossing patrols with permanent zebra or signal-controlled crossings.
However, the plans have prompted opposition from campaigners and local politicians who argue that lollipop patrol officers provide far more than traffic management.
A letter from the School Crossing Group warned that the council intended to “abolish the entire BCP School Crossing Patrol Service” by installing permanent crossings at most locations.
The group argued that crossing patrol officers play a crucial safeguarding role that cannot be replicated by road infrastructure alone.
“They help to manage traffic, foresee and prevent incidents and dangerous situations, and help to safeguard families,” the letter said. “You cannot replace a human shield with a zebra crossing.”
Responding to the criticism, councillor Richard Herrett stressed that no final decisions had been made and that safety remained the council’s overriding priority.
“The safety of children as they walk and wheel to school is our priority,” he said, adding that the authority had only invited expressions of interest for voluntary redundancy and that existing patrol officers would remain in place until any upgrades were completed.
Cllr Herrett said any changes would be subject to detailed site assessments and formal road safety checks, with consultation continuing with staff and trade unions.
He also argued that permanent crossings could provide protection beyond school hours.
“Installing new crossings makes it safer for parents, children and other residents at all times of the day, all year round, rather than during limited hours in term time,” he said.
But Bournemouth East MP Tom Hayes has joined critics of the proposal, warning that patrol officers offer a level of support and reassurance that infrastructure alone cannot provide.
MP Hayes said: “A zebra crossing can’t teach road safety, comfort a nervous child, step into traffic when roads flood, spot safeguarding concerns, or build trust like lollipop men and ladies do every day.”
He has since launched a public survey to gather residents’ views and says he will present the findings directly to council decision-makers before any final decision is taken.