A LOLLIPOP lady who helped children across a dangerous stretch of road for more than 25 years will be replaced after pressure was put on the council.

Families at Ivy Chimneys Primary School in Epping were told the county council had no plans to continue funding a crossing patroller in nearby Centre Drive when popular lollipop lady Jean Wilson retired, as not enough children crossed there to meet its minimum standard.

But parents, teachers and county councillor Janet Whitehouse highlighted the dangers faced by children on the road and the school has now been told to start looking for a replacement.

Jenny Heath, 36, who has two children at the school, was organising a petition for a new lollipop lady or man when she heard the news.

“It’s fantastic,” she said. “Let’s hope they get someone willing and in place before there’s an accident.”

She said her daughter had narrowly escaped being hit by a car since Mrs Wilson’s retirement and she had heard of a similar incident with another pupil last week.

“The general feeling is that it will be a matter of time before there’s an accident and there have been too many near misses for anyone’s liking,” she added.

Cllr Whitehouse said: “The highways department came down to re-assess the road and take into account other factors.

“I stressed the bad junction and the traffic and they were able to take some of those things into account.

“I am delighted that, following the re-assessment of the site, Jean will be replaced.”

She said she would now focus her attention on trying to secure funding for a crossing person at Coopersale and Theydon Garnon Primary School, which she said had been pushing for one for years.

“Hopefully, this will bring the issue of crossings by schools into focus,” she added.

Anyone interested in becoming a crossing patroller for Ivy Chimneys should call the school on 01992 573518.

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