PARENTS, governors, and politicians have accused council chiefs of putting lives at risk after axing a series of lollipop ladies.

Essex County Council has announced it plans to scrap 11 school crossing patrols in Essex, including two in Colchester and one in Tiptree.

Council bosses say because the crossings have been temporarily unmanned for the last year, there are no cost savings.

Many parents taking children to Monkwick Infant and Junior Schools will have to cross busy Monkwick Avenue to get there, despite a petition calling for the patrol to be reinstated attracting 356 signatures.

And a plea by St Michael’s Primary School headteacher Gail Thomas for the council to reverse a “totally ludicrous” decision to move a lollipop man to another school has gone unheard.

* See Thursday's Gazette for a special report