Calls for return of lollipop crossing after boy hit by car outside school

Parents have called for the return of a school crossing patrol outside a busy Brighton primary school after a young child was injured at the junction once watched over by a lollipop man.

A young boy was injured after scooting into Queen’s Park Terrace and being hit by a car as children left St Luke’s School last Thursday afternoon.

A lollipop man previously patrolled that spot, but after he was suspended in early 2016, the post has not been filled.

However, the council said that they were intending on filling the post, and hoped to have someone back there soon.

St Luke’s parent Faye Bridgwater said: “This accident is absolutely awful, we used to have a lollipop man at this junction. It’s madness there isn’t one with the school the size of St Luke’s with over 600 pupils plus parents, childminders etc, there must be 1000 people crossing roads around the school everyday.

“Thank goodness the child is okay but the council should take this a a warning and get a lollipop person in place immediately”

Headteacher Jonathan Cooper said: “A very young child was scootering down the hill and failed to stop at the corner and was hit by a car. Fortunately, the child seems to have made a good recovery.”

South East Coast Ambulance Service said: “With regards to St Luke’s Primary School, the school crossing patrol officer you’re referring to has left the council.

“That position, along with four other school crossing patrol officer posts, is currently going through our internal redeployment process.

“If the posts remain unfilled we expect to advertise them in early December.”