Willesden dad’s lollipop petiton gains hundreds of signatures

Concerned father is fighting plans to axe school crossing patrol officers

A petition to save lollipop staff in Brent has gained more than 700 signatures in just two weeks.

George Burn, of Chambers Lane, Willesden, started the petition after Brent Council announced plans to slash the number of School Crossing Patrols from 47 to 17 in a bid to save �200,000.

Mr Burn, whose children attend Malorees Primary School in Christchurch Avenue, Kilburn, will submit the petition at Brent Town Hall in Forty Lane, Wembley, tomorrow (24).

The father-of-two said: “It’s gone really well. A lot of people are very very annoyed about this. I’ll be writing to a selection of councillors this week to make them aware of it.

“It has been very easy to ask people to express their view. It was never about a target of numbers but giving parents and other residents, but especially parents, the chance to articulate their concerns regarding children’s safety.”

Mr Burn is now encouraging people to make their feelings known on the Brent Council website.

He added: “I’m very keen to get that message out. If they are going to be cut the council should take a much more considered and inclusive approach.

“I am still shocked that heads of schools were not contacted about this – it has been very very badly managed.”

n To comment on the consultation visit www.brent.gov.uk.