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Angry Maryhill parents launch petition pleading 'don't take our lollipop lady'

Lollipop lady has been told by her bosses that the patrol at Dunard Street is stopping, say parents.

A petition has been launched by parents in Maryhill angry over plans to move their lollipop patrol.

Parents say Cordia, the council's services arm, has told the crossing lady who patrols at traffic lights near to the junction of Dunard Street and Maryhill Road that she maybe needed elsewhere.

One parent, Heather Robb, claims the move will put children at risk.

Danger: Parents say the decision to move the patrol risks children's safety.

She says she has seen several cars pass through the traffic lights while they have been on red.

But the council says the change is necessary to cover an absence in another part of the city, and may not be permanent.

The council says it needs more people to come forward to be lollipop patrols because of a shortage.

So far, more than 300 names have been gathered on a petition running on change.org in just over a day.

Heather writes: "This afternoon (14 September 2016) our local lollipop lady Pauline, who has helped children cross Maryhill road at Dunard street for 14 years, was told by Cordia this would be her last shift here as the road isn't a priority anymore.

"She has no idea where she is being moved to.

"She patrols at a set of traffic lights helping children from Dunard Primary, Dunard Nursery and St Charles Primary cross safely.

"I myself have witnessed at least six times cars have sped through the red light while she is walking into the middle of the road.

"The road is really busy in the mornings and afternoons and, in my opinion, we need our lollipop lady.

"Please sign and share this petition to keep our lollipop lady.

"Lets not see another petition set up after a child has been knocked down because Cordia "don't think the road is a priority" after 14 years."

A council spokeswoman said: "When we have staff shortages at high priority crossings in the local area there is sometimes a need to relocate other patrollers to cover short term.

"The patroller was told that this may happen if the need arises - she has not been told that she will be moved permanently.

"The crossing the patroller is responsible for is deemed low priority as there is a green man crossing that the parents and children can use.

"We are always looking to recruit new patrollers and anyone interested in applying should visit the Cordia website for more information http://www.cordia.co.uk/Our-Services/Facilities-Management/Schools/School-Crossing-Patrol

The petition can be found at: http://chn.ge/2cv4Dyn

* Featured photograph. Copyright: Google.

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