Parents furious over Bexley school crossing after death

Students reportedly face peril every day travelling to the Old Bexley C of E Primary School, with no safe way to cross the major road and bus route the school sits on.

And after the school's lollipop man passed away in tragic circumstances last month, councillors and parents have called the decision not to install any extra safety measures "toothless and incredibly dangerous."

Bexley Council say that a lack of clarity on TfL funding means they are not able to employ anyone immediately in the role, and called the situation "not ideal."

Much-loved lollipop man Gordon, 65, was tragically killed on March 9 as he travelled to the Old Bexley C of E Primary School on Hurst Road.

65-year-old cyclist killed after collision with van in Bexley Village. Photo: Credit Matthew Gainsford

Joanne Cooper, 35 and a mother of a pupil in Year 4, said he was the "loveliest man" who knew all the children by name and would always stop for a chat.

"He was such a nice man so it so upsetting to hear about the freak accident, so it was so sad for everyone who knew him," said the Bexley local.

"But without him, we've been left to fend for ourselves."

Joanne said that a month after the incident, parents went to school asking when a new person might be hired, and were told that funding reportedly wasn't available.

"We were shocked. An elderly man who lives locally has been volunteering to help for free when he can, but he can't make it most days," she said.

Hurst Road by the Old Bexley C of E Primary School

"Hurst Road is incredibly dangerous. There isn't a safe crossing near the school, with one zebra crossing about a mile up the road.

"There are two major bus routes running through the main road, and there is a constant stream of lorries and cars speeding by, and yet no way for children to cross safely.

Hurst Road by the Old Bexley C of E Primary School

"God forbid, but I really think it won't be long before someone is hit by a car on that road, it's just so dangerous. And it would be on the council's conscious."

Back in 2018, a car smashed into the railings right outside the school in a drink-driving related incident.

Joanne added that in her eyes, the lollipop man was an absolute essential, and "was the reason our kids got to school safely."

A number of other parents have also written in, highlighting their fears with no lollipop man, zebra crossings or alternatives to keep their children safe.

In response, Bexley Council acknowledged the situation was "not ideal," and said that whilst they are working to a solution, funding technicalities make it difficult.

A spokesperson for Bexley Council said: "Our school crossing patrol service is funded by Transport for London using money they allocate to us each year for highway schemes.

"TfL have not yet told us what funding can be provided for the current year, and we have funds for the service until mid-May. TfL hope to be able to confirm funding around that time.

They explained: "Patrols need to be fully trained, assessed, and clear standard DBS checks, so we are not able to employ anyone immediately to take on the role."

The council did say one of the accredited cover staff had been working in Hurst Road when available, but there was currently no one available to do this every day.

"We appreciate that providing an intermittent patrol service is not ideal.

"We believe that a crossing patrol in Hurst Road is a better way to keep people safe than a zebra crossing and we hope to recruit someone to the role when funding is confirmed. If funding is not available, we will look at providing a zebra crossing, but this is a longer process."

Another parent, James Spellman, said this was not the only case of cuts in the borough, claiming that Bexley Council had failed to replace 17 of 28 crossing patrols in the borough.

"Thousands of children are at significant risk as a result of this decision - I fear it is simply a matter of time before serious injury or fatality of one of our children brings this matter to a head."

He said that from experience, local traffic concentrated around the school drop-off and pick-up times create a "exceptionally dangerous situation."

Mr Spellman added that whilst the council doubtless has significant budgetary pressures, "the direct safety of our school children cannot be de-prioritised."

Bexley Council's Labour Group have also weighed in on the matter, and were highly critical of the local authority's use of funding.

A spokersperson said: “Several years ago Bexley took a decision to use TfL funding to pay for school crossing patrols.

Bexley is the only council in London to have done this, so while the council has not received confirmation of its funding settlement from TFL, Bexley is the only one of 32 boroughs to have had to freeze school crossing recruitment as a result.

"Ultimately school crossing patrols are council employees who in Bromley, Greenwich and all other London Boroughs are paid directly by the council.

"Regardless of the position with TFL, it is Bexley’s responsibility to fund this service and the question for Bexley’s Tory councillors is why has no other London borough found themselves in this position and what is their plan to resolve the position.”

Residents say they regularly see cars and lorries zoom past with no regard to children's safety, and have even started a petition to get a zebra crossing outside the school. So far over 2,000 people have signed.

Another parent, James Spellman, said this was not the only case of cuts in the borough, claiming that Bexley Council had failed to replace 17 of 28 crossing patrols in the borough.

"Thousands of children are at significant risk as a result of this decision - I fear it is simply a matter of time before serious injury or fatality of one of our children brings this matter to a head."

He said that from experience, local traffic concentrated around the school drop-off and pick-up times create a "exceptionally dangerous situation."

Mr Spellman added that whilst the council doubtless has significant budgetary pressures, "the direct safety of our school children cannot be de-prioritised."