Fran has been the lollipop lady for the children of Knaphill Lower and Knaphill Junior Schools for decades. She knows all the children by name. She deserves an Honour from the Queen for her service.
What she doesn’t deserve is the treatment she has received from Surrey County Council.
During the week commencing 2nd July 2012, she received a letter from the Council, telling her she would no longer able to use her ‘lollipop’. Instead, because there are traffic lights, she would only be allowed to press the button for the children. She would not be allowed to walk into the road, because she would not be insured if a driver hit her.
The words ‘thin’, ‘end’ and ‘wedge’ come to mind.
Why? The traffic lights have been at the junction of the High Street and Chobham Road, outside the Garibaldi Public House, for sixteen years. So why suddenly notice them now?
If Fran’s powers are reduced – or, worse, she is made redundant – children will be less safe on their way to and from school. Motorists regularly ‘jump the red’ at this junction. The presence of a school crossing patrol such as Fran is a far greater deterrent to bad driving. Just fitting an infra-red sensor will not be the same.
What Can I Do?
Plenty!
Contact our local councillors. Their contact information is here.
Contact the press. The Chief Reporter for Woking on the Surrey Advertiser is John Ellul. Email him or tweet him. You can also email the Woking News and Mail.
Contact local radio. You can email Eagle Radio or phone them on 01483 468701. Or contact details for BBC Surrey (online and radio) are here.
Join our Facebook page here.
Tell Fran you support her! This website and campaign is independent of her. Have a word with her, next time you are passing at school run time.
