9 hours ago
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.'
