A lollipop lady in Aberdeen revealed fears a child could be killed under unpopular relocation plans which were later reversed.
Debbie Beattie, 58, has been helping Cornhill Primary School pupils cross Cairncry Road for nearly a decade.
She took over the role from her mother, who retired at 84 after 16 years as the lollipop lady.
But Aberdeen City Council told her in September that the zone she patrols would no longer be considered a “priority one area”, meaning she would have to relocate or lose her job by Christmas.
Mrs Beattie, 58, spoke to us amid a rising outcry that would later see the authority’s SNP and Lib Dem leaders step in to halt the plans.
She said: “I’ve spent the week tearing up.
“I love the kids and the community.
“It actually breaks my heart to think there will be no one there to help these kids cross the road.
“We have traffic lights and on too many occasions have cars gone through the red lights.
“It’s far too busy and far too dangerous.”
Hundreds of parents signed a petition to keep Mrs Beattie, who told us she would be unable to relocate as she doesn’t drive.
She added: “I live in Cornhill and work there.”
Local parents set up petition
Over 300 people signed the petition to keep Mrs Beattie at Cairncry Road.
Part of the petition reads: “Many people have had stories of their children being knocked down by cars not paying attention to the traffic lights or the crossing.
“Please let’s help our lollipop lady save her job and keep protecting our children everyday.”
Mrs Beattie continued: “I understand cutbacks and that things aren’t great.
“But, I earn just over £200 a month and I can’t see how that would make much of a difference.”
After days of distress, councillor Neil Copland told us the cash-saving scheme would be axed.
He said: “The decision to relocate school crossing patrols was something that we stood against in opposition and it’s something that we will put a stop to now we are in power.
“It was a poor decision that upsets our staff and would disappoint our school pupils and we will overturn that.
“We will not be supporting any move that would see school crossing patrollers moved against their will.”
