A CROSSING patrol at a village school who quit "after she took her life into her hands" has still not been replaced – seven weeks after she left.
The lollipop lady left her daily role outside Waltham Leas Primary School in October and despite North East Lincolnshire's Council's recruitment efforts, no candidate has come forward.
Parents have been left fearing for their children's safety when crossing the busy High Street near the school, with one labelling the situation "an accident waiting to happen".
Now Debbie Jackson, a parent of two children at the school, has launched a petition to try to get the situation resolved.
She received more than 300 names in just a few days, and presented it to Waltham Parish Council this week.
"The nights are dark now and it is very dangerous on the road outside school," she explained.
"You get near-misses all of the time; I know from experience how bad it can be as I had a crash on the High Street just last year and had whiplash.
"Drivers are doing more than the speed limit and it is ridiculous. You get some drivers stopping to let people cross and others overtaking them to get past.
"It is a blind corner and people are having to take a chance crossing the road because you can be stood there such a long time waiting for a gap."
Debbie claimed the previous crossing patrol left after "taking her life into her hands on a daily basis".
David Temple, who has two sons at the primary school, fears tragedy could strike if a crossing patrol is not appointed soon.
"I am worried there is going to be an accident. Something bad is going to happen and it shouldn't take that for someone to sort this out," he said.
The headteacher at Waltham Leas Primary, Robert Beel, said: "Child safety is absolutely paramount to us and it is a real frustration that we do not have a crossing patrol at the moment.
"The school crossing patrol are not employed by the school and we have little control but the issue is something I raise regularly with the council.
"It is such an important role because the crossing is used by our pupils as well as students from Toll Bar and it is pivotal that we get someone in as soon as possible."
Jason Longhurst, head of development services at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "So far we've not received any suitable applicants for the position and we are still actively seeking a replacement crossing patrol officer.
"If any parents or anyone else is interested in taking on the role, phone 01472 313131."
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