ANGRY parents have hit out after a school crossing patrol on a busy road on Canvey was scrapped.

Mums and dads of pupils at Leigh Beck infant and junior schools were sent text messages on Friday afternoon telling them there would be no lollipop man or woman at the Seaview Road junction, from this week.

Temporary cover had been provided by Essex County Council since beloved lollipop man Ernie Buchan, 81, who had been based at the school for eight years, died of a heart attack at the end of May.

However, the cover had now finished and there was no indication if a lollipop man or woman would be returning to the school.

Mum of six Alison Pettite, 44, of May Avenue, Canvey, said: “It’s dangerous for us parents, let alone the children.

“My kids are aged between six and 25, so I’ve been crossing that road for years.

“I campaigned to get a lollipop man there in the first place and I can’t believe it’s now being taken away.

“Some parents started to let their Year 6 children walk to school on their own, to give them a bit of independence, but there is no way they’ll let that happen now.”

Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris believes a mistake has been made by highways officers at County Hall.

She said: “It doesn’t make any sense. Someone must have been sat at County Hall looking at a map and must not realise how busy that road is. It’s a difficult roundabout even when there are no pedestrians, let alone when there is a group of children.

“I can understand why parents are worried.”

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Independent Party, and Ray Howard, who has responsibility for highways, are set to meet with council officers for crunch talks this afternoon.

Mr Blackwell said: “It’s a dangerous junction and you get a lot of lorries and buses going down there.

“We’re going to fight this to the end. We can’t put a price on our children’s safety.”

Mr Howard added: “Seaview Road is very busy and has always been one of our main roads on Canvey.

“I will do what I can to see a newcrossing patrol put in place.”

County Hall: It’s not dangerous

COUNTY Hall has stood by its decision to scrap the crossing patrol outside Leigh Beck, claiming it is not well used and the road is not busy.

Essex County Council is now looking into piloting a volunteer lollipop scheme on Seaview Road, but it would mean Leigh Beck Infant School and Leigh Beck Junior School stumping up cash.

The controversial move comes four months after the council U-turned on plans to cut funding for crossing patrols at more than 55 schools across the county, following a successful Echo campaign.

The plans would have saved County Hall about £300,000 a year.

A spokesman said: “After an assessment of how many vehicles and pedestrians use the crossing, it has been found the site does not meet the criteria for a school crossing patrol.

“However, in these cases we are piloting a volunteer scheme should the school be able to fund crossing patrol uniform, training and supervision.”