Castle Douglas parents want lollipop person back for children’s safety
This is after a group of primary school kids were almost run over by a car that jumped a red light.
Parents of Castle Douglas Primary pupils are lobbying the council to bring back their lollipop person after a group of schoolkids were almost run over by a driver ignoring a red light.
A petition has been launched, as well as numerous complaints made to the council and other politicians.
The school patrol crossing at the junction between Queen Street and Jenny’s Loaning was removed during the budget-setting process in February.
Katrina Patterson is one of the parents whose kid was almost run over.
She says there is a strong need for a lollipop person for that stretch of road: “It’s got a carpark swinging out onto it, the traffic lights aren’t visible enough. There are a market and two petrol stations along this road. There are also buses swinging out of the swimming pool, so there is traffic from every direction.
“We can train our kids as best as we can to press the button and wait for the green man and how to cross a road, but we can’t help if there is going to be traffic coming through red lights, which is happening daily.
“We will continue lobbying until we get a safer outcome. We can’t leave this to chance. Something is going to happen; it’s such a busy junction. There are local commuters, HGVs, there’s milk tankers and school traffic. We need a lollipop person there.”
Despite many complaints sent to the local authority, parents are claiming they are feeling ignored as departments seem to be “passing the buck” and informing people to enquire elsewhere within the council.
A council spokesperson has responded, saying: “Councillors made the decision to remove personnel from automated school crossings and to remove the lunchtime crossing patrol service during the budget setting process in February.
“We are aware of the issues in Castle Douglas related to some road users ignoring a red traffic light. This is a matter for Police Scotland. We will report these instances to them, and we encourage parents to do the same if they witness any further incidents.
“The safety of children travelling to and from school remains the responsibility of parents or guardians, and we appreciate the work carried out by parents and schools to educate children in safe practices in crossing roads, and in particular to operating automated crossings.”