Crossing guard hit by car? Post Reply

[Soriano]

I just returned home from picking my child up from school and saw a crossing guard lying at the intersection between Broomwood and Wroughton Roads with some parents attending to him. It looked as if he'd been hit. There was a car stopped int he middle of Broomwood and I think I saw damage to the front bumper.

A reminder to all to drive slowly and carefully. These streets are incredibly difficult to drive down already and the early sunset and bad weather don't help!

I hope everyone involved is going to be ok.

[hjm]

Oh no, that's terrible. There was an ambulance there when I drove up Broomwood Rd about 40 minutes ago and a car which had a lot of damage on the front, but I had no idea the crossing man had been hit. Let's hope he is ok. He always seems like such a lovely man.

[Tillyjimjams]

Hi

Does anyone have an update on this? Does anyone know if this man is OK, when we lived round the corner we used to see him every morning, my daughter loved him. What a terrible thing to happen

[nuttymummy]

That is awful - he's such a lovely man. Hopefully one of the Thomas's mums can update us when they hear anything (since Wandsworth council stopped employing them as a general rule I assume he must be employed by them). Also rather scary - if a driver can fail to see an adult dressed in neon yellow with a large lolly pop in his hand just shows how easily they could miss anyone. Fingers crossed he is ok!!!

[Soriano]

Since I'm new to the area, I don't know the background- and have to ask- why would Wandsworth stop employing crossing guards? It's the one thing I feel like this area could use a few more of.

[nuttymummy]

Basic answer = cost cutting. I'm not 100% sure of the ins & outs but as far as I'm aware schools (including the state schools) have been asked to fund their own.

[hjm]

Does anyone know how the crossing guard is? I keep thinking about him but haven't been able to get an udpate.

[nuttymummy]

I asked the lolly pop lady on Ramsden Road & she said he had indeed been knocked down but luckily hadn't been too badly hurt & will be ok which is a relief.

[hjm]

Thanks, that's great news

[Soriano]

Thanks for making the inquiry. I've been wondering too! So glad to her it wasn't anything major.

[FAFB]

This sad incident highlights the dangers of the Council's decision to stop funding school crossing patrols (SCPs) as a cost-saving measure. Some of the crossing sites are far too dangerous to be unmanned, and the Council's suggestion that this essential service be funded by PTAs or provided by volunteers is extraordinary!

As things stand, we will lose all lollipop ladies and gentlemen (except where schools or parents are willing and able to fund them themselves) from January.
There is a campaign to persuade the Council to reverse its decision.  If you would like to help, please sign the online petition at :
 
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/w ... he-borough
 

[secondtimer]

I was really saddened to hear this news. We use that crossing every day.

My understanding was that after last years petition the council continued to fund the crossing people, but a month ago we received a letter via honeywell stating the council would not fund this past jan 2013.

As I have previously posted, I find it very frustrating that wandsworth council continue to brag about having the lowest council tax and yet our local library is now closed on a tues and weds plus we lose our lollipop people on some busy and potentially dangerous junctions.

Given the price of local housing this is cost cutting gone mad.

I will gladly sign a second petition but this feels like a small part of a bigger issue. Is it worth canvassing our local MP? Do we have a collective nappy Valley voice we can leverage?

Hmmmmm!

[theessentialtouch]

You are so right second timer. Apparently it would cost £14 per child in the three affected schools to fund the cost of this service. Split between the entire borough I think we would all happily pay an extra £1 on our council tax!

[livegreen]

Do many children come to these schools without parents ?

Would reducing the speed limit to 20mph on all our residential streets be a better campaign if we want to make our streets safer for all residents 24/7 ?

Whilst I think our crossing patrols are lovely and do a great job I am not sure whether they contribute to everyones safety.

[AbbevilleMummy]

I firmly believe that we should have a rise in our council tax.

Having low taxes is all well and good but it's just not economically feasible any more for wandsworth to have this ridiculous policy of having the lowest rates in the country.

I am sick of the filthy streets, the poor refuse collection, the pot holes and dangerously damaged paving, the lack of schools, the lack of school sports fields, lack of lollipop men/ladies, short library opening hours, closing of children's playgrounds...... I could go on and on.

It is selfish of our councillors (spelling?!) to keep the low council tax. They are doing it for fear of not being re-elected, as opposed to making decisions for the good of everyone living within the borough.