Anger as crossing lady is not replaced

Parents are furious that a crossing warden will not be replaced outside a Rugeley school where there has been no attendant for around 12 months.

The previous lollipop lady outside Churchfield Primary School retired about a year ago.

But Staffordshire County Council insists the pelican crossing near the school is sufficient.

The school is based on Sandy Lane, the A460, a major trunk road linking Rugeley with Hednesford and Cannock.

Parents say the volume and speed of traffic mean the road is an accident waiting to happen. They have met with the school's headteacher and are now launching a petition.

Andrea Haywood, aged 36, from Hislop Road, Pear Tree, has a four-year-old son at the school. She said: "I've been told categorically that there's no chance, but we will not let it go."

County councillor Ray Easton, ward member for Brereton and Ravenhill, is also in favour of a warden being installed – as is headteacher Linda Hack

But Michelle Hunt, spokesman for Staffordshire County Council ,said the authority has no plans to change its policy because thousands of pounds has been invested in the pelican crossing.