Dom Lacovara’s daughter attends Greenvale Primary, which is one of six schools across Croydon set to lose its lollipop patrol by the end of the year.
The move, revealed through a Freedom of Information request, came as a shock and has sparked a wave of concern from parents.
Dom, who started a petition, told YourLocalGuardian: “I can’t imagine they’re earning a great deal.
“Even if they are on minimum wage, you’re probably only talking a couple of thousand pounds a year the council is paying out.
“To get rid of them, even if it means they are getting rid of something that could potentially save a child’s life, is just wrong.”
Croydon Council has confirmed the patrols will end following a 2022 service review and were included in the 2024/25 budget as part of broader cost-saving measures.
The council is “not legally required” to provide them, as they are a non-statutory service.
The patrol cuts are set to affect Cypress Infants and Juniors, Norbury Manor Primary, Orchard Way Primary, Oasis Academy Ryelands, Greenvale Primary, and Monks Orchard Infants and Juniors.
Dom continued: “For the best part of the last six years, one or both of my children have been at Greenvale.
“There’s always been a crossing patrol. I walk to school every day with my youngest daughter.
“We make use of it every time. It’s a busy road, a cut-through between New Addington and Selsdon, and it’s on a bus route.”
“There are no zebra crossings, no lights, not even flashing school signs. Nothing. To take away the only form of crossing safety on that road just seems completely illogical.”
Dom says the impact goes beyond immediate safety and touches on children’s independence and wellbeing.
READ MORE: School children stand up to Croydon Council in lollipop patrol protest
He added: “There are lots of older kids, Year 5 and Year 6, whose parents let them walk to school because it’s nearby.
“If there’s no patrol, parents might stop them doing that. They’ll get lifts instead. Then you’ve got more cars, more traffic, more chaos at the gates.”
He believes removing the patrol will discourage families from walking altogether.
Dom explained: “I think it’s good for kids to walk to school. If you go to a school that’s walkable, you should be encouraging that.
“Taking away that safe presence – the adult helping them cross the road – takes away a bit of freedom too.”
The council has pointed to alternative safety measures, such as permanent crossings and Healthy School Streets, which it says will be introduced at some sites including Cypress Primary.
However, no timeline or planning documents have yet been provided for Greenvale.
Dom says he has seen nothing to suggest anything is coming.
He added: “If you are going to take away the patrols, at least put something else in place.
“At Greenvale, there’s absolutely nothing. Not even the flashing signs you get by schools that tell drivers to slow down.”
He questioned the lack of transparency from the council and whether schools were even notified directly.
As a Croydon taxpayer, he feels frustrated.
He added: “Council tax has gone up. Everyone knows why. Yet here we are, cutting jobs outside schools. It makes you wonder.”
The protest is part of a growing wave of resistance from communities across Croydon, with parents at other affected schools, including Greenvale Primary, also raising the alarm.
At a demonstration on Friday, July 11, children held handmade signs and chanted “We love you, Robert” as he helped them cross the road — just as he has done for the past 23 years.
A spokesperson for Croydon Council said: “Croydon Council will close its remaining non-statutory School Crossing Patrol service at the end of this school year, affecting six sites.
“This decision follows a 2022 service review and was discussed at the Council’s Scrutiny and Overview Committee in December 2022, before being confirmed as part of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy agreed by Cabinet in October 2024.
“Most patrols were phased out many years ago and risk assessments have been completed for the six remaining sites, with one now earmarked for a permanent crossing and three located on Healthy School Streets.
“Schools were notified in March 2025 and our Road Safety Officer continues to work with them on initiatives such as Junior Roadwatch. Whilst this is a non-statutory service, road safety remains a priority for the Council.”
