After two long periods being without a School Crossing Patrol Officer on Westwood Hill, we believe the time has come to install a proper fixed crossing to protect everyone - children and adults - who need to cross this busy road. 

The first time it took over 12 months - from April 2014 to 2015 - to find a replacement for the School Crossing Patrol Officer.  His replacement gave notice in February and left at Easter 2016 and it has taken a further six months to find the latest candidate.

Lewisham Council have found it very difficult to recruit candidates, despite repeated advertising, and confirm that there is a lack of applications for this role across the borough.

We need a long term solution to this situation to protect everyone who has to cross Westwood Hill at any time - not just at school times.  We are therefore asking you to support our campaign to get a proper crossing installed outside the School which, to date, Lewisham BC have been set against providing.  This is apparently because of a lack of evidence that such a crossing is actually required and the fact that there is a zebra crossing on Westwood Hill – a 5/10 minute walk away by Cobbs Corner, so not relevant.  

Sydenham Girls’ School in Dartmouth Road has a raised platform and also a pelican crossing outside their school – so why not here? 

Our research also shows that in addition to our own 700+ Junior School and Senior School students and staff - many of whom need to cross Westwood Hill every day - children from both St Bartholomew’s C.E. Primary School and The Peak Sydenham use the crossing along with students from Sydenham Girls’ School and local residents on their way to shop in Kirkdale. 

We have avoided road-crossing casualties so far but, given the volume and speed of traffic going down Westwood Hill, and the behaviour of some motorists, we are very concerned that it is only a matter of time before there is a serious incident.  I hope you agree that we shouldn’t have to wait until that occurs to prove a crossing is needed.  Please support our petition.