I'm Kayla , and together with Elliot, Joanne  Kirsty, and Ishfaq we have taken it upon ourselves to ensure the safety of children crossing outside our local school Dogsthrope academy daily from 8:15 to 8:45 am and again in the afternoons from 3 to 3:45 pm. Despite the existing speed bumps, our efforts stem from a growing concern: three children have already been injured due to reckless speeding over this school crossing. This is a matter of urgency, calling for additional measures to safeguard our young ones as they navigate the crossing.

In recent months, we've witnessed an alarming rise in cars speeding through the school zone, showing little regard for the speed bumps already in place. These incidents are too frequent and too severe to ignore; it's only a matter of time before another child is harmed. Parents in our community, teachers, and passers-by are equally worried about the lack of effective measures to protect our children during the crucial times before and after school.

As committed as we are, there is only so much we can do on our own. We need a crossing guard—known locally as a "lollipop lady"—to provide a consistent and authoritative presence to control traffic and ensure children can cross the road safely. This is a simple yet effective solution that could prevent future accidents and provide peace of mind to parents and the community.

Data from similar school zones have shown the effectiveness of crossing guards in drastically reducing accidents involving children. According to the National Safe Routes to School program, crossing guards are associated with reduced traffic speeds and increased pedestrian safety around schools. Having a dedicated team member present every school day can serve as a visual reminder to drivers about the importance of maintaining speed limits and being vigilant.

Our community is vibrant and closely-knit, showing solidarity in the past for different initiatives. Now, we need to come together once more to demand from our local council the deployment of a crossing guard outside our school. This small but significant addition can ensure that our childrens' journey to education remains safe and secure.

Please stand with us in advocating for this vital safety measure. By signing this petition, you will be sending a loud and clear message: Our children's safety cannot wait! Join our fight to install a crossing guard at our local school—let's protect our children's futures together.