PARENTS have joined forces to call for the return of a lollipop patrol to help their children steer clear of danger while crossing one of York’s busiest roads.

They fear the lack of a permanent school crossing point at the junction of Stockton Lane, Hempland Lane and Woodlands Grove, in Heworth, could be putting pupils’ safety at risk.

Hundreds of parents whose children attend Hempland Primary School, in nearby Whitby Avenue, have signed a petition asking City of York Council to bring back a patrol which marshalled pupils across the route before being removed at the start of the current school year.

Staff at the school have also added their names to the campaign amid unhappiness that, since pupils returned their summer break, a lollipop patrol has only been provided at the junction for two weeks.

It comes after The Press revealed earlier this year that York is facing a shortage of lollipop men and women, with people being reluctant to take on the roles due to low pay, fear of abuse and a dislike of both the uniform and bad weather. A council report showed 15 intended crossing patrol points in the city were unmanned and 12 primary schools – with a combined roll of 3,173 children – which should have had a lollipop presence, no longer did.

The 248-name petition has been passed to the council’s school crossing patrol service by Heworth Without councillor Nigel Ayre, and Tricia Elliott, who chairs the Friends of Hempland Primary School.

Tricia, who has two children – Katie, ten, and seven-year-old Thomas – at the school, said: “Safety has to come first and we’re all obviously concerned about a child being involved in a serious accident. Stockton Lane is becoming increasingly busy with fast-moving traffic and children have to cross the junction from two directions, so we feel a temporary patrol – which we’ve only had for two weeks in the autumn term – is inadequate.

“Sufficient numbers of people need to be recruited and, once they are, we hope this junction would be put near the top of the list. As well as ensuring their safety, we also want to give our children independence in getting to and from school. The council is trying to encourage more children to walk and cycle to school, but parents will only support this if they are sure they will be safe when crossing the road.”

Stuart Outram, Hempland Primary School’s headteacher, said: “The safety of children is always of paramount concern and we would support any move to improve the quality of road safety for all our pupils.”

A City of York Council spokeswoman, said: “We are aware of parents’ concerns regarding the lack of a school crossing patrol for Hempland Primary School. The school crossing patrol service has been able to arrange for some temporary cover at the site, although it is recognised that this is not a long-term solution and we are working hard to secure this situation. It is notoriously difficult both locally and nationally to recruit school crossing patrols on a permanent or temporary basis. The recruitment difficulties that we face means that we do not have a pool of staff we can draw upon to cover sites when permanent staff are absent.”