Residents have described how Rita has kept children safe and selflessly supported the community for years
South London families say making a school’s much-loved lollipop lady redundant raises serious concerns for children’s safety. Residents are campaigning for Rita’s job to be saved, after six years of her helping children to cross the road outside the Honeywell Schools – made up of an infant and junior school – in Battersea.
A total of 215 residents signed a petition in just three hours calling for Rita’s job to be retained, after learning of the decision by Honeywell Schools Parents, Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA) to cut the role. The service has been provided by the PTFA since Wandsworth Council stopping paying for it in 2013, but the organisation has now decided it is no longer viable to continue funding it.
The council is set to install a zebra crossing at the junction of Honeywell Road and Webb’s Road this month.
Campaigners told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the decision to cut Rita’s role came as a huge shock, as there was a lack of consultation and communication with parents and residents about the plans. They said some parents had supported a petition by the PTFA to install a zebra crossing, but did not know Rita’s job was also being axed and were desperate for her to stay.
Residents described how Rita plays a vital role in keeping children safe and selflessly supports the community. Edward Killwick said cutting her role comes at a major human cost and jeopardises people’s safety, as he stressed the strength of local opposition to the decision.
Mr Killwick said: “I see people all the time going through zebra crossings but I’ve never, ever seen anyone take on a lollipop lady. People always respect a person in neon yellow holding a lollipop sign. I think they’re always, always treated with respect because people then realise especially that it’s children crossing the roads.”
He added: “As well as children’s safety, it would affect the local community. Every child and parent who goes past says hello, she always greets everybody with a smile. She’s very, very popular.”
The community has already successfully fought for the service to continue as, when the council announced it would withdraw funding in 2013, the PFTA raised £20,000 to keep it. Now, more than a decade later, they are calling for Rita’s role to be reinstated so she can continue keeping children safe.
An online statement from the campaign added: “Losing a dedicated lollipop lady is very sad and we firmly believe does not serve the community well. Rita is an institution, and her work and support is invaluable. Zebra crossing or not, please join our campaign to keep Rita who selflessly supports our community.”
A Facebook group has been set up to gather people for the campaign.
A Wandsworth Council spokesperson said: “The safety of children around our schools is a top priority. The Honeywell School parent teacher association has previously funded crossing patrols near the school, however, they have taken the decision that it is no longer viable to continue funding the crossing patrol.
“A new zebra crossing at the junction of Webb’s Road and Honeywell Road will not only improve safety for schoolchildren but will benefit the wider community. We’d like to thank Rita for her many years of service as the school’s lollipop lady.”
The Honeywell Schools PTFA has been contacted for comment.
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