MORE than 150 people have signed a petition urging the council to keep the lollipop man in Eastcott Road.

The current post holder John Walters handed in his stick and high-visibility coat last Friday to take on a job elsewhere with the council.

But the borough says it has no plans to replace him. The budget for school crossing patrols was cut last year as part of council cost-saving measures. Instead, it says it will install more road warning signs.

But residents and councillors are unhappy. More than 150 have signed an online petition calling on council chiefs to reverse their decision and provide a safe crossing for children.

Patrick Herring, a South Swindon parish councillor for Eastcott, created the petition.

He said: “It’s a bizarre decision. The road is very busy and it’s got several blind corners. It will be very dangerous for kids to cross there without a crossing patrol.

“Not only will it put people in danger, it’s probably going to cause havoc on the roads for motorists as well. It doesn’t take much for cars to back up on to Bath Road.”

Those signing the petition agree. Ward councillor Imtiyaz Shaikh said: “They should find a replacement and continue with the funding as the safety of the children is a priority and one that shouldn’t be compromised.”

Explaining his reason for signing, William Orford wrote: “Keep this. It’s vital for the safety of the children crossing the road.”

Karen Malsom added: “Children have to be kept safe as they have been for 15 years by the crossing guard.”

Responding to the latest petition, the council said that most schools operate without a crossing patrol. Borough policy assumes that a responsible adult will accompany children to and from school.

A spokesman said: “Due to the nature of this particular section of Eastcott Road, the speed of vehicles is relatively low. We will continue to monitor traffic speeds, volume of traffic and the number of pedestrians at this location and we are currently looking to see if improvements could be made to the road signs along Eastcott Road to provide even greater warning to motorists that there is a school in the area.”

South Swindon parish councillors last week denounced the loss of the lollipop man. Coun Barrie Thompson said: “The safety of our children is far more important than the few pounds it’s going to take to provide these crossings.”

In an email to councillors shared at the meeting, Margaret Clarke, headteacher at King William Street Primary School warned: “Without a school crossing patrol officer in position it will only be a matter of time before an accident happens and a child gets hurt.”

To sign the petition, search for Eastcott crossing patrol on www.change.org.