The dangers outside a school without a lollipop lady

Saturday, 10 January 2026 17:50

By George Lythgoe

A concerned mum feels her child is in danger crossing a major road junction without a lollipop lady. Woodland Community Primary School in Heywood has been without a crossing guard since their previous lollipop lady retired almost a year ago.

Rochdale council has been trying to fill the role, but says it has struggled to recruit. Some parents are now fearing for their children having to cross the busy Pilsworth Road when walking to and from school.

One mum has been flagging this problem for months with the council, saying a number of other parents feel the same. She says she had a near-miss when doing the school drop-off herself recently.

“I nearly ran over two young girls who were trying to cross this main road for school,” she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. “This caused a mini crash at the junction due to not being able to stop in time.

“I stopped my car to make sure the kids got across the road safely. I have suggested they take a lollipop lady from a less busy area temporarily while they find a replacement. A council officer should be covering.”

The Heywood resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, explained that a tight bend where Pilsworth Road meets Argyle Street and Egerton Street has a blind corner. She had to slam on her breaks to avoid hitting the two primary school children.

Now she fears her children facing the same danger en route to school, particularly in the recent icy conditions.

“I don’t want a child to get injured before any action is taken,” she added. “My own daughter goes to Woodland and I’m worried she will be in danger as well.”

The local authority says they have invested in improving safety at the Pilsworth Road junction, which also has children from other local schools crossing it daily.

Coun Shah Wazir, cabinet member for highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We understand the concerns raised, and this underlines how vital the role of our school crossing patrols is. They do a really important job helping to keep our children safe as they cross the road.

“We have been working hard to fill this position, but despite repeated recruitment efforts, including simplifying the application process, we have not found a suitable candidate to date.

“We recently advertised this position again, and have received a number of applications, so we are hopeful that the role will be filled soon.

“In addition, the highways team is currently undertaking a project with local councillors which will see safety improvements introduced at the junction in Pilsworth Road, Argyle Street and Egerton Street.”

The council is always trying to recruit school crossing patrol officers, more commonly known as lollipop men and women. They are encouraging more people to apply for the jobs they have available.

Pointing out the perks of the job, the local authority says it provides a ‘feel good factor’ of working with young children; flexible work for term time only; working close to home; and something that truly makes a difference.

Because they have a full DBS check, school patrol officers can also pick up work in schools and other settings which they fit between their schedule. Some in the role also work as lunchtime supervisors and/or cleaners in schools.