A FORMER lollipop lady is backing the Make School Road Safer campaign.

Pauline Meader spent ten years helping children to cross nearby Monkwick Avenue, Colchester, before retiring, only to see the school crossing patrol removed a short time later.

She was devastated to hear a child had been hit by a car outside Monkwick Junior School, in School Road, and seriously injured.

Mrs Meader begged County Hall to listen and make changes.

She said: “It was awful, shocking and all too believable to hear someone had been knocked down.

“It was not a surprise as the road was an accident waiting to happen.

“I just hope the council listens and changes things before it happens to another child.”

Mrs Meader praised ward councillors Dave Harris and Kim Naish for all their efforts to get a change and the Gazette for campaigning to keep children safe.

She said: “Something has to be done. I helped about 500 children a day to cross and enjoyed every minute, until the last year or so.

“I doubt the council will do anything about it but I like to think it could, and nothing will happen if people do not try.

“I am happy to do what I can to help.”

The Gazette launched the Make School Road Safer campaign after eight-year-old Tiana Page was knocked down outside the school in December.

The campaign is supporting the work done by ward members and headteachers at the surrounding schools – Monkwick Infants, Monkwick Juniors and Thomas Lord Audley – whose children all use the road.

It is being supported by Tiana’s family, who bravely spoke out to try to get changes.

The Gazette is calling for railings to be installed around Monkwick Junior School, zig zag markings the length of School Road and parking restrictions extended, from 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

There is also the hope in the future the school crossing patrol could be reinstated along Monkwick Avenue and a new car park and footpath may be possible along Queen Elizabeth Way to take the strain off School Road.

To support the campaign send in the support form or visit www.gazette-news.co.uk and click on the link.

Alternatively, visit Blackheath Post Office or Keyshaws shop, in Finchingfield Way.