Parents angry as Angus Council axes Edzell Primary School lollipop lady

Parents have told of their fears for children’s safety after a council announced it was removing their lollipop lady.

Edzell Primary School, in Angus, is set to be without a crossing patrol from the spring.

The council has been accused of prioritising budget cuts over the safety of pupils.

Fiona Spence fears for children's safety. — Fiona Spence fears for children’s safety.

Parents said the decision would put their children in danger.

Mum of three Fiona Spence said: “If there’s no school crossing patroller, there’s going to be an accident.

“It’s terrifying to think something could happen to my own child or somebody else’s child.

“I shouldn’t have to worry about getting my children to school.

“I can understand why Angus Council has to save money, but putting a child’s life at risk is not saving money.”

Parents received a letter last week confirming the council’s decision.

Edzell Primary School will lose its crossing patrol in the spring.

The local authority said the completion of nearby construction work contributed to a conclusion that the school didn’t meet the criteria for a patrol.

But the local community council said it didn’t accept the reasoning.

Gus Leighton, chair of Inveresk Community Council, said: “As soon as it was mentioned at our meeting, all three councillors who were there said it was down to budget cuts.

“That was the reasoning, there was no rationale beyond that.”

More than 250 people have backed a petition urging the council to reverse its decision.

A spokesperson for Angus Council said: “The decision to withdraw the school crossing patroller from Edzell Primary follows two traffic surveys, both of which confirm it doesn’t meet the minimum criteria for retaining a patroller.

“The safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our schools is paramount and work will continue in our schools to make children road safety aware.”