Council plans to replace the local lollipop men outside a primary school in Abbey Wood with a new ‘school streets’ scheme using safety bollards has been heavily criticised by parents.

Greenwich Council has created trials outside four schools using safety bollards will close the roads to motor vehicles during key hours, but discussions to bring the scheme to Alexander McLeod Primary School could see the local lollipop man displaced.

Parents have called the move "dangerous" and "putting our children's safety at risk," and a petition to save the lollipop men has already been signed by over 400 people.

One mum, Caroline Woollard of Abbey Wood, said she was "appalled" by the council's plans, calling Joe and Frank "beloved members of the community" after teaching local children how to safely cross the roads outside the school for several years.

Ms Woollard, who set up the petition, said she was concerned the bollards would actually make the roads busier and more dangerous. "Why change something that has been working for years?"

School streets will work by completely closing the roads outside schools between 8-9am and 3-4pm during term time.

Cllr Denise Scott MacDonald, cabinet member for air quality, sustainability and transport, said: “This will make the roads safer and less polluted for children and carers walking, cycling and scooting to school.”

“Our officers have begun initial discussions with Alexander McLeod Primary School about creating a school street outside the school. The best way of making a street safe is to remove the cars from the road and that’s what we are doing.

“As there would be no traffic in the street, there would be no need for a lollipop person at this location.

She added: “We are speaking with the lollipop man who works at this site to determine where it would be best to re-locate him to. The lollipop man working at the pelican crossing on McLeod Road would be unaffected.”

A consultation of the four existing trials did see around 69% of people in support of the plans, and Cllr Macdonald said they have since created “safe, healthy and peaceful spaces in place of chaotic, polluted, traffic-filled streets.”

But Maggie Kerridge, mother of two children at the school, vowed to "fight the council's decision to take our lollipop men.”

“Joe is part of the school community and he helps the children learn to cross the roads the correct way.”

"Joe is loved by everyone who attends the school and will be sadly missed by all," Ms Kerridge added.

"If the road in front of the school is closed off to cars, it is going to make all the side streets busier, which will then make crossing these roads a lot more dangerous.”

Another mum, Donna Oswald, called the two lollipop men "a vital part of our community."

"Our children are our number one priority, so why should we put their safety at risk for pointless metal in the road that will cause nothing but disruption."

To sign the petition, follow this link.