Teachers forced to monitor dangerous crossing

Mrs Newton, (voted this country's Best Lollipop Lady in 2003), was instructed by Bucks County Council (BCC) to stay away while a gas main next to the crossing was repaired and temporary traffic lights were installed.
However, when the headteachers realised that small children could not see the lights and that a delay between the lights allowed cars to proceed while children were crossing, they decided to do Mrs Newton's job for themselves.
Mr Tagg explained that approximately 400 pupils use the zebra crossing on their way to and from the two schools and that the phasing of the lights angered several drivers.
"Yesterday I saw five drivers go through a red light, they were driving quite recklessly," he said.
Mrs Peal said that while most infant children are accompanied by their parents, many of the junior pupils use the crossing unescorted.
Gemma Barrett, mother of three pupils, said: "I'm very grateful to the two heads for ensuring the safety of the children, but I feel cross because once the gas leak was mended, they should have got rid of the lights."
Another mother of three pupils, Donna Westall, said: "I'm extremely angry that there has been so little thought about roadworks that are next to a crossing, in term time."
Mrs Westall added: "They took away the lollipop lady with no notice. It beggars belief."
Following a phone call from Mrs Peal, PC Isobel Brennan arrived on the scene at 3.30pm on Tuesday to patrol the crossing.
Mark Oldfield, BCC group manager for sustainable travel said: "We would normally write to parents in advance, but with an emergency repair to a gas pipe such as this, the utilities operate their own traffic management control. What this has highlighted is that the utility companies don't always know where the crossing patrollers (lollipop ladies) are and so we have now provided them with a list, so that crossings can be better managed."