School crossing attendant set to start work helping Alnwick pupils across a busy road

Crossing South Road in Alnwick. | JPIMedia Resell

A lollipop person is set to start work helping schoolchildren across a busy road in Alnwick.

South Road, near St Paul’s RCVA Primary School, has been without a school crossing attendant for some years.

However, the role has now been filled by Northumberland County Council and the new employee is expected to start on Tuesday, after the half-term holiday.

Coun Gordon Castle, Alnwick county councillor, said: “It’s excellent news. It’s taken a while and a lot of concerns have been raised about children’s safety while there was no attendant.”

A crossing guard will help children get to school safely | JPIMedia

Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey recently donated 60 high visibility snap bands to pupils at St Paul’s to help them walk to school safely.Eileen Lomax, headteacher, said: “It’s really important to us that our pupils are happy and engaged when they arrive at school and walking is a great way for them to start the day. We want to encourage children and their parents to walk to school.”