Parents have launched a petition to have a new crossing guard installed at a Co Antrim primary school.
The parents of children who attend Carrickfergus Model Primary School have launched their campaign following the sudden death of the school's dedicated crossing guard.
Former 'lollipop man' Johnny McAllister, passed away a couple of weeks ago and has been described by parents as a "gentleman" who took the time to get to know each of the pupils he helped cross the road.
This week, the school principal Mrs Miller, wrote to parents telling them they she had been attempting to get a new crossing guard in place for the start of the new school year, but it was unlikely that she would be able to do so.
She said it was "deplorable" that the Education Authority had indicated to the school that it would be unlikely that the crossing guard was going to be replaced and felt the safety of her school children was not seen being seen as a higher priority.
Speaking to Belfast Live, a concerned parent said that they had begun petitioning to local MLAs calling for something to be done to replace the crossing guard.
They say that the entrance to the school is on a busy dual carriageway, making a crossing guard essential.
The parent said: "A few weeks ago the school sadly lost its dedicated crossing guard after he passed away suddenly. Johnny was such a gentleman, who took the time to get to know every pupil by name and make sure they felt safe crossing the road and will be deeply missed.
"We are now very worried though about the safety of children as they go to school, because we have been informed that there is a strong possibility that his role will not be replaced.
"We feel that if there is not a crossing guard in place outside the school, which leads onto a busy dual carriageway into Belfast, our children are going to be at a greater risk going to school.
"With all of the focus on protecting children during this pandemic, you would have thought that protecting them going to school would be of greater priority."
Currently staff at the school are set to take on the role of crossing guard voluntarily for the first week of school, but this is not something that can be maintained.
The Education Authority has said that an assessment on the need for a crossing guard at Carrickfergus Model Primary School will be carried out soon, and if the school is deemed to need a crossing guard then a recruitment process will begin.
An Education Authority (EA) spokesperson said: “We are committed to reviewing school crossing patrol provision on an ongoing basis or in circumstances where a post becomes vacant.
"An assessment of Carrickfergus Model Primary School will be carried out accordingly to ascertain if it meets the required criteria for provision of a school crossing patrol. Should an assessment deem a continued need for the school crossing patrol, the appropriate recruitment process will begin as soon as possible.
“We continue to support schools, parents and pupils where it is deemed appropriate. In particular, road users should be vigilant when parking and driving in the vicinity of a school, and we would encourage parents and pupils to take simple measures to ‘Be Safe and Be Seen’ such as wearing something reflective and high vis.”
