Councillor seeks replacement lollipop patrol at Portrush school

A councillor has called on schools chiefs and the Minister of Education to urgently address the absence of a crossing patrol outside Portrush Primary School.

The school which sits on the busy A2 coast road has had no patrol since the retirement of its long-serving lollipop lady, Kathleen Curran.

While the Education Authority is assessing a request for a replacement, Alderman Richard Brown Stewart said there are serious concerns about the safety of children travelling to and from school each day.

“Kathleen Curran provided an invaluable service to generations of children and families in Portrush, and her retirement has left a significant gap in the safety arrangements outside the school,” he said.

“Parents should be able to send their children to school knowing that appropriate safety measures are in place. The absence of a lollipop person at such a busy school crossing is a serious concern, and we cannot simply accept that this position remains unfilled.

“I have written directly to the Minister of Education seeking answers as to why a replacement has not been appointed and what steps are being taken to resolve this situation.

“We need to know what interim arrangements are being considered to protect children in the meantime, and, crucially, when a permanent school crossing patrol will be reinstated.

“This is about the safety of our children. We should not have to wait until an accident happens before urgent action is taken.”

Alderman Brown Stewart credited the school principal, staff and parents for continuing to highlight the issue and pledged to keep pressing the Education Authority and the Department of Education until a satisfactory resolution is reached.

He added: “Portrush Primary School deserves the same level of protection as any other school. I will continue to pursue this matter until children, parents and staff have the reassurance that a safe crossing arrangement is back in place.”

In response, the Department of Education said responsibility for crossing patrols lay solely with the Education Authority.

And EA spokesperson told the Chronicle: "We can confirm that a request for a replacement School Crossing Patrol (SCP) at Portrush Primary School was received on 18 September.

“The EA has initiated the process to have the site assessed to determine if the location meets the minimum threshold criteria for a replacement SCP.

“Once the site assessment is complete, the outcome will be notified to the school. If the site meets the minimum threshold criteria the recruitment process will commence.

"EA is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, however, it is important to note that parents remain primarily responsible for their child ’s safe journey to and from school.

“Information and resources on road safety can be found on the EA website and through NI Direct."