PARENTS have spoken of their delight that a campaign to reinstate their school lollipop patrollady has been successful.

The lollipop crossing position at Cwm Primary School was left vacant after the summer holidays, and parents spoke to the Argus as well as on social media to urge Blaenau Gwent council to re-advertise the post.

Parents told the Argus that with around 270 pupils at the school, no zebra crossing and no traffic lights outside the school, a lollipop person was needed, despite a council statement that a risk assessment showed a lollipop “patroller” was no longer justified.

But before they could even hand in their petition, parent and campaigner Andy King said he had a phone call from the council reporting that they had reversed their decision. “I’m not into politics, this is the first campaign I’ve fought,” said Mr King, 32, whose sons Liam and Macaulay go to the school, said: “We’re only a little village but we were united. People behind the scenes donated paper and plastic pockets and wood to make our signs. Everybody, even the old age pensioners, were saying it was disgusting and that 40 years ago someone was knocked down, which is why they had the lollipop lady in the beginning.

“We had a fabulous team of parents, and hats off to the council for changing the decision,” he said. “It wasn’t just me, there’s no ‘i’ in team.” Mr King said the parents had a plan of action between now and Christmas of what they would do if the petition wasn’t a success,

He said he first took up the issue after he saw fellow parent Sharleen Williams post about it on Facebook.

“I was a bit strict, I said I don’t mind fighting but let’s base it on facts,” he said. “They’ve now advertised the position, the kids came home from school with a letter yesterday.

“ but I don’t think I’ll be satisfied until someone is there on the crossing with a stick.”

He said with the days drawing in, children’s safety was paramount for the campaigners and that the day after the Argus visited the school last week this week, a junior child saved an infant pupil from being knocked down by a car.

A spokeswoman for the council said in a statement: “Due to the unfortunate timing of the vacancy arising, the council has reviewed the provision of a school crossing patroller outside Cwm Primary School, and has reversed its original decision.

“The vacancy will be advertised.”