Council bans lollipop man from high-fiving children as they cross road
A lollipop man has been ordered to stop giving high fives to school children because of health and safety concerns.
For the past two years, Neil Cotton, 57, has sought to brighten the children's day with a high five as they crossed the road in Howden, East Yorkshire.
But the school crossing patrol officer has now been told by the council that the gesture is a 'distraction' to children learning to cross the road safely.
Mr Cotton said the high fives were also deemed to be upsetting some drivers by slowing down traffic at the junction known as Cross Keys Corner.
In a social media post, he said: 'I have been instructed that I can no longer high-five children any more whilst crossing the road. This is because it upsets some drivers having to wait another 10 seconds.'
East Riding of Yorkshire Council said one of its officers had spoken to the crossing patrol to say it was 'vitally important' that children learned to cross the road safely without any distractions.
Mr Cotton also claimed he had been 'instructed to no longer guide the larger vehicles round Cross Keys Corner to eliminate the chances of legal action if there were to be an accident'.
'Absolutely ridiculous'
The council clampdown drew ire on social media from parents who rely on the crossing patrol to keep their children safe.
Niccie Downes responded to Mr Cotton's now deleted social media post by thanking him for doing 'an amazing job', calling the decision 'absolutely ridiculous'.
She added: 'Finn thinks it's great when you high-five him in passing, which I'm sure all the others do, and as for guiding the lorries you're doing that for safety purposes as that corner is dangerous'.
Another parent, Kirsty Wilcox, told BBC Look North: 'I think it's wrong. Why shouldn't he, what's wrong with it? It puts a smile on the kids' faces. My son does it all the time. But now he gets upset because he's not allowed to do it.'
Theresa Holt said Mr Cotton's greeting gave children like hers a 'little bit of happiness'. She added: 'He's great with my little boy and he sees him as a friendly face.'
A spokesman for East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: 'We value all our school crossing patrols, they are pillars of the community, and do a very important job – meeting and greeting children, parents and pedestrians and helping to keep them safe while crossing the road.
'It is vitally important that children learn to cross the road safely, concentrating without any distractions, walking carefully and being vigilant of the traffic.
'In this particular case, one of our officers spoke with this crossing patrol and simply reminded them of the need not to have distractions while children are crossing. However, we are confident they will continue doing a fantastic job and they are much appreciated.'
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A much-loved lollipop man has been banned from high-fiving schoolchildren as they cross the road – because council officials claim it causes traffic delays and poses a health and safety risk. Neil Cotton, 57, has spent the last two years brightening up the school run in the East Yorkshire town of Howden with his cheerful attitude and signature high fives. But the school crossing patrol officer has now been told by East Riding of Yorkshire Council to stop the friendly gesture at once – because it's seen as a 'distraction' and could make children forget how to cross the road safely. The stunned lollipop man took to social media to share the bizarre order, telling parents and supporters: 'I have been instructed that I can no longer high-five children any more whilst crossing the road. 'This is because it upsets some drivers having to wait another 10 seconds.' The junction, locally known as Cross Keys Corner, sees children from infant, junior and secondary schools cross the road daily and for many, Neil's high fives have become a happy part of the morning routine. But now council killjoys have stepped in, saying children should be focused 'without any distractions'. The post, which has since been removed, sparked outrage from local parents with many branding the decision 'absurd' and 'ridiculous'. Mother-of-one Kirsty Wilcox told BBC Look North: 'I think it's wrong. Why shouldn't he, what's wrong with it? 'It puts a smile on the kids' faces. My son does it all the time. But now he gets upset because he's not allowed to do it.' Fellow parent Theresa Holt said: 'It's silly. It takes literally seconds and it gives that child that little bit of happiness. He's great with my little boy and he sees him as a friendly face.' Even drivers weighed in on the row – with many defending Mr Cotton and blasting the council's 'over-the-top' approach. Tony Brooke said: 'It's absurd. Just to high five to them, I don't see there's a problem with that. 'He's going to hold the traffic up to let the kids across so I wouldn't have thought it would add any more time to people's journeys at all. It's crazy.' Another motorist, Michael Dalton, added: 'I think it's a bit OTT to be honest. It's a bit PC [political correctness] going crazy again. As a driver, we need to be a bit more courteous, certainly at school times.' In a statement, East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: 'It is vitally important that children learn to cross the road safely, concentrating without any distractions, walking carefully and being vigilant of the traffic. 'In this particular case, one of our officers spoke with this crossing patrol and simply reminded them of the need not to have distractions while children are crossing. 'However, we are confident they will continue doing a fantastic job and they are much appreciated.' Mr Cotton also revealed he has been told not to help guide larger vehicles around the junction because of fears the council could face legal action if there was an accident.
