A group of parents at Rockcliffe Manor School are urging Greenwich Council to reconsider not replacing the Swingate Lane lollipop man following his retirement in November 2025.
Running between Plumstead Common and Welling, Swingate Lane is a main road used by commuters, buses, school traffic and families from multiple schools, including Rockcliffe Manor, Timbercroft, Greenslade, and Plumstead Manor.
Until November, the lollipop man helped children safely cross at the crossroads of Swingate Lane, Kirkham Street and Kingsdale Road.
The absence of a crossing patrol has left families navigating a road which they say has no central reservation, poor visibility due to parked and double-parked cars, and traffic that often does not stop for pedestrians.
A petition named “Provide safe routes to school: Reinstate the Swingate Lane school crossing” has gathered support, receiving more than 580 signatures.
One of the participating parents told News Shopper that the removal of the crossing patrol had had a “big impact” on parents like her and their children when it comes to safety, security and independence.
A mother-of-one, Rachel Thorn said: “Instead of having the authority to cross and to stop traffic, you’re stood on the pavement with your head on a swivel waiting for that perfect moment when there’s no traffic in either direction.”
Rachel, whose son is six, also added that the lack of crossing has made it “very difficult” to teach her son road safety, and has also led to older Year Six children being unable to walk with friends unaided.
“I definitely think it’s had an impact on teaching children about crossing a road, because you’ve got to get a bit of a trot on across the road because there might not be a gap for another several minutes.” Rachel, who did not want to give her surname, said.
“I see a lot of parents with Year Six children still walking them to school, because of that road.
“It is going to be a blunt shock come Year Seven when they do have to walk to school by themselves, and we also have wheelchair users at the school too.”
Parents have also expressed concern with regards to visibility and lighting, especially during the darker winter months and harsher light of the summer.
According to Rachel, their main request is the reinstatement of a safe crossing at the crossroads of Swingate Lane, Kirkham Street, and Kingsdale Road.
Parents of the school are keen to explore “all possible avenues”, whether that be a lollipop patrol, a zebra crossing, or other mitigation measures to improve visibility and pedestrian safety.
The group behind the petition, Friends of Rockcliffe, emphasises that the need for a crossing existed before and still remains today, and are calling for the council to “reassess” their decision.
Rachel said: “Children make this journey twice a day, every single day.
“They deserve protection so it is safe and not a scary route to school, as well as other pedestrians using the road.”
Greenwich Council said that financial constraints mean they are no longer able to automatically replace school crossing patrols when staff retire.
A spokesperson said: “Due to unprecedented financial challenges placed on us by the previous government, councils up and down the country have been forced to make uncomfortable funding decisions.
“These decisions are taken in order to protect, and invest in, frontline services aimed at supporting those with complex needs, financial or housing difficulties, and vital services for young people and families.
“As a result, we’re sadly no longer able to replace school crossing patrols upon retirement or change in profession.
“Despite this, we still have 22 crossing patrols in place across our borough.
“At Swingate Lane, we are supporting the recruitment of volunteer crossing patrols and have been engaging with local councillors on this work.
“Alongside this, we are also addressing what additional crossing measures could be introduced at this location to provide safer, year-round crossing facilities for all road users, with a particular focus on protecting children.
“Schools will still have the option to fund crossing patrols and we continue to work with them to explore what other measures can be rolled out through our comprehensive road safety engineering and education programmes.”
