Harrow Labour are celebrating a major win for road safety (Facebook page today), after Pinner Park Primary School appointed a new school crossing patrol – commonly known as a “Lollipop” guard – following a hard-fought campaign to protect funding for the service across the borough.
Earlier this year, Harrow’s Conservative administration was to cut £26,000 from the Highways Road Safety budget, a move that would have axed five crossing patrol posts. The proposal sparked widespread concern from parents, teachers, and residents, who warned it would put children at greater risk on Harrow’s busy roads.
In response, a petition titled “Save the ‘Lollipop’ School Crossing Patrol Service in Harrow” was launched and delivered to the council in February 2025. Campaigners highlighted the vital role crossing guards play in keeping children safe on their way to and from school. Between 2017 and 2020 alone, 41 children were hit by vehicles in Harrow, eight of them seriously, according to figures reported by London World.
Following mounting pressure, the Conservative administration made a U-turn soon after the proposal, confirming that the School Crossing Patrol Service would remain part of its Service Level Agreement with schools.
The decision has already had a positive impact, with Pinner Park Primary – one of the schools originally mentioned in the petition – now benefiting from a newly appointed crossing guard. Parents and commuters have welcomed the move, saying it brings peace of mind during the morning and afternoon rush.
“This would not have happened without the campaign and pressure from Harrow Labour councillors to support this service,” said Cllr Stephen Hickman, Labour’s shadow portfolio holder for children’s services.
“School crossing patrols save lives. Removing them would have forced children to cross dangerous roads on their own, and that is simply unacceptable.”
However, concerns remain that some junctions in Harrow are still poorly designed or unsafe, with residents calling for further investment in pedestrian safety.
As in much of England, school crossing patrols are a non-statutory service. This means councils are not legally required to provide them, leaving them vulnerable to future budget cuts.
Earlier this year, Harrow’s Conservative administration was to cut £26,000 from the Highways Road Safety budget, a move that would have axed five crossing patrol posts. The proposal sparked widespread concern from parents, teachers, and residents, who warned it would put children at greater risk on Harrow’s busy roads.
In response, a petition titled “Save the ‘Lollipop’ School Crossing Patrol Service in Harrow” was launched and delivered to the council in February 2025. Campaigners highlighted the vital role crossing guards play in keeping children safe on their way to and from school. Between 2017 and 2020 alone, 41 children were hit by vehicles in Harrow, eight of them seriously, according to figures reported by London World.
Following mounting pressure, the Conservative administration made a U-turn soon after the proposal, confirming that the School Crossing Patrol Service would remain part of its Service Level Agreement with schools.
The decision has already had a positive impact, with Pinner Park Primary – one of the schools originally mentioned in the petition – now benefiting from a newly appointed crossing guard. Parents and commuters have welcomed the move, saying it brings peace of mind during the morning and afternoon rush.
“This would not have happened without the campaign and pressure from Harrow Labour councillors to support this service,” said Cllr Stephen Hickman, Labour’s shadow portfolio holder for children’s services.
“School crossing patrols save lives. Removing them would have forced children to cross dangerous roads on their own, and that is simply unacceptable.”
However, concerns remain that some junctions in Harrow are still poorly designed or unsafe, with residents calling for further investment in pedestrian safety.
As in much of England, school crossing patrols are a non-statutory service. This means councils are not legally required to provide them, leaving them vulnerable to future budget cuts.
Harrow Monitoring Group 