SCHOOLCHILDREN in Whitnash are hoping a kind-hearted resident can be found to help them cross the road safely.
Back in June last year Amy Ashby and Anne Buttrum set up an online petition urging county council chiefs to provide a new school crossing patrol for the busy Landor Road.
They argued there was no safe place where youngsters walking up from Ashford Road towards St Joseph’s, St Margaret’s and Briar Hill schools were able to cross.
And with the junction becoming even busier during the school run, they said a new crossing would not only help parents and children get to school safely but also reassure parents their children could walk or cycle to school on their own.
The petition gained more than 1,600 signatures and council chiefs eventually decided to employ a lollipop person.
Leaflets advertising the vacancy were posted around Whitnash and Warwick Gates but so far there have been no takers.
Amy said: “Our children would love to walk to school without their parents but the junction in question is just too dangerous and the volume and speed of traffic makes it very hard for them to accurately judge the situation.
“By having a lollipop crossing, they can walk independently from a younger age and it also encourages healthy habits, which will last a lifetime.”
Anne added: “We have been told it is very hard to recruit lollipop people and we may not get anyone to take the position but it would make a huge difference to everyone.
“The role is perfect for job-sharing – if two people were allowed to take on each crossing, they could still have holidays or days out because there would be someone to take over.”
The council is ideally looking for someone who can spare five mornings and afternoons each week during term-time from approximately 8.10am to 8.55am and again from 3.15pm to 3.45pm.
But they are also happy to consider people for the position on a job-share basis. Pay starts from £6.90 per hour.
Anyone interested in taking the position on a full-time basis is asked to email [email protected] or call Warwickshire County Council on 01926 412661 for further details.
Those who could work either in the morning or afternoon only or on a job-share basis are asked to email [email protected] or call 07711 399197.
People can also pass their details onto St Joseph’s School by calling 01926 427552 and Anne or Amy will get in touch.
