A ROAD outside a primary school was deemed too dangerous for a lollipop lady by the county council – despite hundreds of pupils having to cross the street.

County councillors are now questioning why children are still being forced to take their chances when walking across Green Lane, Worcester, to reach St Barnabas Primary School, more than a year since the previous lollipop lady left.

Councillors want to see the immediate installation of a crossing outside St Barnabas Primary School, after three near-misses where children were almost hit by cars in recent months.

A Worcestershire County Council risk assessment of the site found that a number of vehicles were mounting the curb next to the school. 

The council has now announced that a zebra crossing will be installed outside the school within the next year.

Speaking at Friday's county council meeting, Cllr Paul Denham said: "Can I ask why it's taken more than a year to replace the lollipop lady in St Barnabas?

"Could it be because when the post was advertised last year, the advert had to be withdrawn because a risk assessment carried out by an officer of this council decided that it was not safe enough to employ a trained adult wearing a high-vis jacket and holding a lollipop because of the traffic situation?

"She said the traffic was travelling too quickly and didn't always stop. How can it possibly be safe then for children crossing the road?"

Sarah Hanson, head of the school, said she couldn't believe the council's stance.

"I find it astonishing that the county council risk assessment found that it's not safe for an adult to cross the road safely, yet they are quite happy to allow 420 children from the primary school to do so," she said.

Addressing the council's pledge to build a crossing within the next year, Ms Hanson said: "I think it's very vague.

"We have already waited for 13 months. We have already had two accidents which have had police involvement.

"We had another near-miss with a child in Year 1, one week back after Christmas [in January].

"The mum was taking her son across the road after school. A driver didn't see and nearly hit them. The parent didn't go to the police."

She believes that the council conducted a risk assessment of the road in June.

County councillor Matthew Jenkins added: "Because of the accident that happened with that young girl [in December], it has been pushed up the priority list. I think it was the tipping point.

"We are hoping it [the crossing] will be done this year. It's needed because there are two schools in the area and most of the people live on the other side of the road."

Cllr Lucy Hodgson, county council cabinet member for communities, said: "An employee risk assessment was carried out after the post became vacant. The council risk assesed this role as it requires a member of staff to stand in the middle of a live carriageway for a period of time.

"The employee risk assessment highlighted that a number of vehicles were mounting the kerb at the point where the patrol was stood on the side of the road.

"When the vacancy is filled, the council will take precautions to reduce the risk of this happening.

“The longer term plan within the next year for St Barnabas is to have a zebra crossing installed.

“This will mean that it is unlikely that the site will meet the criteria for a school crossing patrol.

“The advert to replace the post, until the zebra crossing is installed, has been re-published.

“Parents are reminded that they are responsible for their children's safety at all times, and the council will work with schools to improve communication, and to take on board any concerns they have."

Cllr Hodgson added that the council offers road safety and pedestrian training to every primary or middle school student in the county.