Fight to save Wirksworth lollipop lady

Mother–of–three Amanda Kidger–Preston, has been a lollipop lady in Wirksworth for two years, but faces losing her job following the latest money–saving proposal from Derbyshire County Council to do away with crossing patrols.

The 32–year–old works in Wash Green outside Wirksworth Junior School, while her sister, Anna Metcalfe, is a lollipop lady in North Lane by the infant school.

Amanda, of Wirksworth, said: “It’s not so much that the road outside the junior school is really busy, it’s the fact that during rush hour it’s horrendous.

“It’s a blind spot because you’ve got a corner and then you’ve got a dip and the railway. It’s dangerous.

“You’ve got traffic backing up in the morning and reversing back over the bridge.”

Amanda has an eight–year–old daughter who already attends the junior school, and a six–year–old daughter who will soon attend it.

“I would not like to think of my daughters crossing there by themselves,” she said.

The petition is calling for the crossing patrol outside the junior school to be saved.

Amanda explained: “It was decided that if we had to save one, it would have to be the junior school as it is more dangerous.”

Fellow Wirksworth mum Saskia North is championing the fight to save the crossing patrol.

“It’s outrageous they are thinking of getting rid of the crossing patrols because they are trying to save money,” she said. “It’s children’s safety at the end of the day.”

Amanda added: “It’s a lovely job. You get so many ‘pleases’ and ‘thank you’s’ and appreciation for what you do.”

To view the petition, visit www.ipetitions.com/petition/keep-kids-safe-save-our-school-crossing-patrol