Parents and school workers have spoken out about plans to cut lollipop crossings.

Hampshire County Council is looking to cut 17 lollipop crossings at schools across the county, including on Parkhouse Road, Shipton Bellinger.

The council spends approximately £1.1m a year to provide the service, with an average cost of around £6,000 for each patrol.

Speaking to the Journal outside Shipton Bellinger Primary School, full-time mother Sophie Langston, was appalled with the council’s decision.

Sophie said: “Are councillors going to stand outside our schools and watch the kids safely cross the road?

“It can save a million, but will it save lives? I mean, the lady who does it is lovely."

The mother of another family said: “It’s not something I agree with.”

Sophie asked: "Are councillors going to stand outside our schools and watch the kids safely cross the road?" (Image: Charles Elliman) Of the 17 schools in question, 14 do not meet the criteria for patrols, and the other three already have a “safe alternative” in place for children to cross the road without help.

The council are also looking at a further 150 crossings.

Shipton Bellinger Primary School sits by a busy road, which turns a tight corner before going past the school.

One mother said: “If you stand and see the speed of the cars going past, having someone here is a very good deterrent.”

The road by Shipton Bellinger Primary School turns a sharp corner (Image: Charles Elliman) Although safety considerations were of key to parents, and staff, questioned, they highlighted the communal importance of their lollipop patrol.

Annaleigh Davidson, a mother and barber, said: “She's [the lollipop lady] been a permanent fixture to do with the school for many years; she was here when I was at school!”

Annaleigh was speaking to the Journal with her friend, and fellow parent, Natalie Buckley, who is a copywriter.

They said: “They’re not looking at the full picture and they’re not looking at the welfare, and the community, aspect of the budget.

“It’s infuriating because, as well as the road safety, they are not taking into account how important it is to the school.

“We’ve had so many cuts to the schools but it’s like an extension of that.”

Karen Glasspool has manned the crossing for decades (Image: Charles Elliman) Karen Glasspool has helped school children cross the busy road for decades, but she also has other duties, such as working in the school cafeteria.

Karen was informed of the Council’s intention in a letter from the council's School Crossing Patrol. She said: “I’m just carrying on my duties as normal.”

The crossing became so busy during the Journal’s first attempted interview that another had to be attempted at the end of Karen’s shift.

The Journal found Karen as she was preventing a little schoolboy from running across the road.

“I have to steer them back in because they’re going to be in danger without their mums and dads, so they’ve got to be in the school grounds.”

Karen said: “I really think we need a school crossing patrol at Shipton Bellinger Primary School.

“There’s a lot of cars coming, and going, and there are some children who walk to school on their own.

She added: “I’m sure they’re doing the Green Cross Code, looking right, and left, but it’s chance you don’t want to take.”

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said: “Faced with a projected annual budget shortfall which is now estimated to be at least £175 million from April 2025, the County Council must consider very carefully how it could tackle these unprecedented financial pressures in future – which are similar to those faced by other local councils nationally - as costs are accelerating at an ever-increasing pace due to growing numbers of children who need protecting from harm, abuse or neglect, alongside higher demand for school transport for children with disabilities and additional needs, and many more adults and older people with complex care needs and disabilities.

 “No decisions have been made on any of the savings’ proposals. At each Select Committee meeting being held this month, County Councillors from across the local authority’s political parties will first examine the public consultation results and savings recommendations, together with analysis of the potential impact on residents of the proposals, if they go ahead.

 “It will then be for the County Council’s Cabinet to carefully consider the officers’ recommendations in the context of the public consultation responses, the feedback from the Select Committees and any deputations when they make a collective final decision on 14 October.”