Wokingham

Wokingham Lollipop men and women have joined together with the star of national television adverts to try to lick the prickly issue of unsafe driving in a new campaign launched by Wokingham District Council on Wednesday (March 15).

A banner carrying the message ‘Don’t Park on Zigzags’ was unveiled at Highwood Primary School in Woodley by Wokingham district council chairman Cllr Iain Brown and the hedgehog star of the national Think! road safety adverts. They were joined by school crossing patrollers (or lollipop men and women as they are commonly known) from across the Wokingham district, who want to see an end to driving practices that put both them and the people they help across the road at risk.

The Wokingham campaign aims to make drivers aware of the danger they pose by parking or dropping off on the zigzag or double yellow lines directly outside schools. The banner will be backed up by leaflets being delivered to parents by the school and reinforced by the school crossing patroller who is handing out road safety information and reminders to those using the crossing.

A second banner saying ‘Stop Means Stop’ was also unveiled at Nine Mile Ride Primary School in Finchampstead highlighting the problem of drivers who don’t stop for crossing patrollers, potentially injuring the patroller and any children or members of the public trying to cross the road safely. The campaign is backed by Thames Valley Police and Wokingham council’s highways consultants Mouchel Parkman.

Wokingham Council chairman Cllr Iain Brown said: “Often people just don’t think of the danger they pose by quickly pulling up on zigzag lines or not letting a crossing patroller step out into the road. It should be remembered that both of these simple acts could put a child’s life in danger. They are also both offences and drivers can be prosecuted.

“I hope that these new banners will make everyone think that little bit more about safer driving and parking and perhaps make a real difference to the safety of our roads.”

The Wokingham council currently has six vacancies for school crossing patrollers across the district. A high rate of pay is offered (£8.12 per hour or £10.28 including holiday pay) and the role offers the chance to play a key part in a local community. If anyone is interested in becoming a Wokingham school crossing patroller, they should contact the council on (0118) 974 6387.

Wokingham District Council