Parents fume after Grangemouth primary school is left without lollipop person

Parents have hit out at Falkirk Council after it was announced a Grangemouth school would be left with no lollipop person with “immediate effect”.

Moray Primary School sent an email out last night making everyone with children at the school aware of the change, with no word on an immediate replacement.

Instead, parents are being asked to speak to their kids about road safety before they set off for class.

Falkirk Council say they have since launched the process of finding a replacement after the person previously in the role resigned.

The text message reads: “With immediate effect we will not have a School Crossing Patrol Officer at the corner of Oxgang Road and Moray Place.

“We would be grateful if you are able to inform your child of this change and speak to them about road safety before their return to school tomorrow.

“The post has been advertised and hopefully filled as soon as possible .

“Many thanks for your continued support. Moray Primary School.”

But there are calls for a temporary replacement to be brought in.

Stephanie Lane, 36, has a son in P4, she said: “I am sorry, but the safety of children should be a number one priority.

“A temporary replacement should have been found for today and until someone permanent is brought in.

“Oxgang Road is a terrible road and people are always speeding up and down it.

“As per usual, Falkirk Council aren’t thinking about our kids though, it’ll be saving them a few bob not having to pay someone to keep our kids safe.

“Are they going to take responsibility if a wain is knocked down? Probably no.”

Taking to social media, another person said: “I think I’ll be dropping the wain off in the morning, Oxgang Road is a metal road.

Someone else wrote: “Pffft. No chance will the wee one be walking to school without a lollipop woman. Deffo no safe like.”

A Falkirk Council spokesperson said: “Following the resignation of the current school crossing patrol, we have already started the process to find a replacement – this takes time to advertise, select and train/disclosure check any successful candidate.

“We’re also currently advertising for reserve school crossing patrols.

“Ensuring a child arrives safely at school is always the responsibility of parents/carers and school crossing patrols are only an additional safety measure in and around schools and not statutory.”