Lollipop Patrols Are Safe – Labour Will Not Cut Them : Labour Responds to Fears Over School Crossing Cuts in Hartlepool...

The Labour group that controls Hartlepool Borough Council yesterday moved to reassure local residents that School Crossing Patrols in a part of the town were not being cut...

21st Jul. 2025 (04:32am)

Concerns from Hartlepool residents that a vital school crossing patrol was under threat have prompted a swift response from the Hartlepool Labour Group which runs Hartlepool Borough Council, with councillors moving to reassure local residents that the school crossing patrols are 'safe'...

Davison Drive in Hartlepool's West View Estate

The speculation has been rife over possible cuts to a school lollipop patrol on Davison Drive, near West View Primary School in Hartlepool, which then circulated across across social media over the weekend, sparking community anxiety.

Local parents and residents voiced alarm that the patrol—crucial for children’s safety on a busy road which is used by buses and heavy goods vehicles—was at risk of being axed as part of council cutbacks. In response, the Hartlepool Labour Group issued a strong public statement on Sunday evening , emphatically denying the school crossing patrol would be removed.

"Lollipop Patrols Are Safe – Labour Will Not Cut Them."

The statement continued:

“There’s been concern in the community about the future of the lollipop person at the Davison Drive entrance to West View Primary School. Let’s be absolutely clear: Labour runs Hartlepool Borough Council – and under this administration, there will be NO cuts to school crossing patrols.”

Acknowledging the fears of parents, Labour councillors said they understood why families were worried about road safety on Davison Drive.

“It’s a bus route, it sees large delivery vehicles, and even with speed bumps, it can feel unsafe during busy times. Families are right to demand proper protection for children walking to school. Labour is listening. Labour is committed. Lollipop patrols will be protected.”

The Labour Group went on to claim credit for having previously “fought to save them,” promising they would not allow such services to be lost under their watch.

“We’ll keep standing up for safe crossings at every school in Hartlepool. Because nothing matters more than our children’s safety. Labour will not cut school crossing patrols. Not now. Not ever.”

It seems the future of the school crossing patrols is 'safe'...

Whilst critics may still question the wider direction of council services and spending priorities, on this issue—at least for now—it seems Hartlepool’s school crossing patrols are safe from the axe.

However, its claimed that whilst this public commitment holds firm, budget pressures at one of Teessides most Troubled local councils is said to be mounting, as Labour scrambles to find its funding for a controversial Council Tax freeze for April 2026, which even council officials have admitted may end up leading to services being cut, if the Labour held local council fails to find the cash to pay for the freeze in Household Bills for next year. But for parents and children at West View, the morning walk to school appears set to be a little safer, thanks to the man or woman in the high-vis jacket with the lollipop stick.