For 36 years, Georgia has stood on our streets keeping children safe—a much‑loved lollipop lady who knows every family and spots danger before it happens.

She is not alone. Across Bournemouth, dedicated school crossing patrol staff safeguard our children, support families, and hold our communities together.

Now their jobs are at risk. For financial reasons BCP Council is considering replacing lollipop ladies with permanent traffic crossings.

I recently met Georgia at a surgery appointment and heard her deep concerns about the Council’s plans to make school crossing patrol staff redundant.

In a meeting between staff, unions, and BCP Council, questions were raised about whether the voices of lollipop staff, schools, and families have been reflected in decision-making.

I want to give you the chance to have your say. I will represent your views directly to BCP Council, so they can truly know the full strength of feeling in our community.

As your Member of Parliament, I also want to be clear about my own concerns:

• A zebra crossing cannot teach road safety, comfort a worried child, step into traffic when the road floods, spot a safeguarding concern, or build the community bonds that people like Georgia create every day.
  
  
• If we lose Georgia and her colleagues, we lose far more than a job role—we lose the human presence that keeps children and families safe, supported, and connected.

School crossing patrols do far more than stop traffic. They protect children, support families, manage chaotic school‑run traffic, and act as the trusted eyes and ears of the community.

Please share your views—and please do share this survey with anyone you know who wants to have their say on this important matter.

By submitting your views, you agree to them being shared anonymously with BCP lollipop staff, BCP Council, and GMB representatives. Please read the privacy policy for more information on how we use your data.