Children using a pedestrian crossing on a busy road to school will be safer after a successful campaign by local residents, supported by Liberal Democrats, resulted in the appointment of a new crossing attendant.Local Liberal Democrats have welcomed Sharon Beale, the new crossing attendant for St. Mary’s School.

In October 2007, following repeated requests by the school, Haringey Council finally agreed that St. Mary’s schoolchildren needed an attendant to help them safely cross Hornsey High Street. However, there then followed an 18-minth delay which included a six-month wait for government checks to be completed.

Cllr Robert Gorrie, Hornsey ward, comments:

“I welcome Sharon with open arms and wish her all the best in her role. It is a vital job to help protect our children who have to cross busy roads to get to school.

“It is not good that children of St. Mary’s have had to wait eighteen months to get a safe walk to school. It is totally unacceptable that it took the Council and the government six-months to do basic checks that have held up this vital service further.”

Lynne Featherstone MP, adds:

“It’s fantastic, perseverance has paid off and now children will be safer crossing Hornsey’s busy high street.”