PARENTS and teachers in Swanmore have spoken of their dismay at the news that their lollipop lady is facing the axe.

As previously reported, Hampshire County Council (HCC) has announced that it will be cutting 17 lollipop school crossing patrols across the county, and will be looking at the future of 154 others.

This includes the lollipop patrol in Church Road, Swanmore, which is run by Judith Cook.

John Paterson, head teacher of Swanmore Church of England Primary School, said that the cutting of the lollipop crossing patrol on the road would be “a great shame”.

John Paterson, head teacher of Swanmore CofE Primary SchoolJohn Paterson, head teacher of Swanmore CofE Primary School (Image: Chris Atkinson)

READ MORE: School crossing lollipop patrols set for the axe by county council

He said: “I think it is a great shame for any school to lose its crossing patrol. She is great for the community and the people in the community, and also for the staff. But the council has a budget and they want to make it work.”

Mr Paterson continued: “It is always going to be preferable to have someone there.”

Beatrice Finch, who was taking her son Dylan and his friend Albert Constable to school, said that the crossing patrol “needs to stay.”

She added: “It is really busy around here and on days when she is not here, you can sense that it feels dangerous. We would rather that she stayed.”

Mark Houghton told the Chronicle: “She is great and she is needed. You can see the amount of traffic here and it gets busier in the afternoon. Without her, I think an accident could happen.”

Daphne Muzenda said: “I think (Judith) needs to stay there. She keeps the kids safe. It is not safe without her. That is all I can say.

“Some people are always speeding along the road, so it is better if there is someone who controls it.”

Robert Warr said: “I think she should stay here.

SEE ALSO: People won’t 'significantly' suffer despite 200k library budget cut, council argue

Church RoadChurch Road (Image: Chris Atkinson)

“She has been her forever. She has been here ever since I was here, she does a good job.”

Courtney Brame said: “I think it is very upsetting. She was the lollipop lady when I want to school, and now my daughter goes to school here and she is still doing it. She has done it for many years.

“All the kids love her, and she used to work in the school library as well, so she is known to the school.”

The Chronicle asked Ms Cook if she would like to speak about her experiences as a lollipop lady, but she declined to comment, citing orders from her superiors.