‘This is an accident waiting to happen’

A MUM today said kids could be at risk after claims a lollipop woman was removed from patrolling a busy road.

Angela Lyall, 47, raised concerns for the pupils at Forthill Primary School, Broughty Ferry, after saying there was no crossing patroller at a busy junction.

Angela (inset), a mum-of-four, said the lollipop lady has been based for several years at the junction of Forthill Road and Balgillo Road.

But Tayside Contracts removed the patroller, saying it is not an official crossing point and exposed children to “potential risk”.

Angela, of Rossie Avenue, said kids are now having to cross Fintry Place and Luke Place to get to school, adding: “I have two children at Forthill. Two used to go and I went myself, and all my days it’s been the same situation. There are about 600 pupils who go to that school so as you can imagine that area at 8.30am is absolutely packed with cars and traffic — it’s pandemonium.”

Gary Conway, facilities business manager for Tayside Contracts, said the school’s travel plan shows there is a school crossing patroller (SCP) j ust outside Forthill Primary School who will cross the children over Forthill Road at the school.

He added: “There’s also another established point on Balgillo Road.

“Following a complaint from a parent, Tayside Contracts has reviewed the operation of the Balgillo Road school crossing point and have noted that the SCP, during the course of her shift, has moved away from her official school crossing point to cross children over Forthill Road.

“This is not an official school crossing point and therefore the SCP may be exposing herself and the children to potential risk. If the children require to be on the Dundee side of Forthill Road they can be crossed safely by the school crossing patrol point outside the school.

“My understanding is that the Balgillo SCP has been unofficially crossing children on Forthill Road for a period of time, which may result in children trying to cross Balgillo Road on their own.

“As a result, it is proposed that the SCP remains on her official established Balgillo road point.”

The school is to write to parents to inform them of the change.

Angela with her children, Duncan, eight, and Alastair, 10, waiting to cross Forthill Road at the junction with Balgillo Road.