WORRIED parents have criticised the decision to remove a lollipop man from a busy Worcester road.

Michael Bate has served the community for more than six years, safely crossing children from Perdiswell Primary School on Bilford Road, but Worcestershire County Council has decided to axe his job.

An email was sent out to parents saying that Mr Bate would not return to the school in September, with his last day being Tuesday this week.

A change.org petition, appealing to keep Mr Bate at the school, has gathered at least 650 signatures and dozens of comments from parents.

Jenny Gibbs said: “I have a child starting Perdiswell and the road is ridiculously busy and needs this support staff. Not having it in place would put children at risk of road traffic accidents.”

Rebecca Reeves said: “The pedestrian crossing is not enough. I have seen numerous drivers go across on red, on times out of school hours, with no Mr Bates. Mr.Bates is a visual reminder to drivers.”

County Councillor Matt Jenkins said: “It is absolutely dangerous - getting rid of a crossing will make it much more dangerous. I think it is just pointless. If they don’t come back saying we can have one, I think we should go down there and make our own. Cars speed up to make sure they get through the crossing when it is on amber – and often they don’t make it through.”

He added that he asked if a crossing attendant could be retained and paid for by the community but was told they are ‘not considering sponsoring of roles’.

Mr Bate’s son Jody, whose own son Harrison, aged 10, attends the school, said: “He has done his job and he has done it well. He thought he was helping to serve the community and give something back and he feels strongly about how dangerous that road is.”

Meanwhile in Malvern Link, children at Somers Park School will no longer have a lollipop lady to help them cross the road from September.

County councillor Lucy Hodgson, cabinet member with responsibility for communities, said: “Following consultation with staff and feedback from parents and schools, the decision has been made to remove patrols from locations that are situated on or near to a formal crossing such as a pedestrian or zebra crossing.”