A DANGEROUS road crossing outside a Worcester infant school, which was left without a lollipop lady for seven months following a health and safety row, has finally got a replacement.

As we reported last year, Judy Gaisford said she was forced to resign from her post at Hindlip First School after Worcestershire County Council insisted she complied with the Highways Code and held her 6ft pole upside down when stood at the side of the road.

Mrs Gaisford, of Sling Lane, Hindlip, didn’t agree with swinging the pole around when children were nearby.

Following her resignation in October, the 61-year-old said: “I’m not a trained majorette.”

The post was advertised on the council’s website but it took until last week to find a replacement.

Tracey Daultrey is the new lollipop lady and had carried out a similar role in her former hometown of Skewen, Wales, for 13 years.

Headteacher Carolyn Tew, who described Mrs Gaisford’s resignation as a sad loss, said she was happy to finally have a new lolipop lady in place.

She said: “Our children are so pleased to have our crossing patrol again.

“We a small family school and put the safety of our children at the heart of everything we do.

“We encourage our families to walk to school so are delighted that we have the crossing again.”

Councillor John Smith, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “All of our school crossing patrol staff do a fantastic job and play a vital role within their local communities.

“As is the case at schools right across Worcestershire, I’m sure Tracey’s work will be very much appreciated at Hindlip CE First.

The council said in accordance with the Highways Code, all officers must adhere to the four designated positions.

The sign held upside down indicates that the patrol is not ready to cross pedestrians and the sign held vertically is a barrier to stop pedestrians crossing.

The sign held diagonally means the patrol is ready to cross pedestrians and vehicles must be prepared to stop, and the sign held vertically means all vehicles must stop.

Coun Smith said: “I would like to remind motorists who act selfishly and dangerously by not stopping when asked to do so that they are breaking the law. It’s quite simple. Stop means stop.”

School crossing patrols have the same status as a red traffic light and failure to stop can lead to a £1,000 fine or three penalty points.