FURIOUS parents have slammed the council for taking away a school crossing patroller from one of Inverclyde's most 'dangerous' junctions.

Mums and dads were left stunned to find out that the long-term lollipop man at St Patrick's Primary has made way for a new set of traffic lights on Drumfrochar Road.

The Tele recently reported how the local authority had invested in traffic controls at the four way junction with Cornhaddock Street and Broomhill Street, the spot where a teenage boy was knocked down six years ago.

But no one had expected the lollipop man to be withdrawn.

The decision means that St Patrick's pupils will now be relying solely on the green man to get them across Inverclyde's busiest route safely.

Parent Lisa Duffy, 37, of Killochend Drive, said: "This a dangerous road and a terrible junction and the green man is only on for a few seconds.

"It is doesn't give them a chance to cross.

"It is hard to know where to look, there are cars everywhere and they stop too close.

"Somebody could easily step out

"It is an accident waiting to happen.

"I can't believe they are taking the crossing patrol away so quickly.

"The lights were needed but I didn't think they would take away the crossing patrol straight away."

Mum Lisa, who has two children at St Patrick's - Arran, seven, and Sophie, five, said everyone was sad to say goodbye to long-time lollilop man Roy Kerrigan.

She said: "Roy has been here as long as I have, he covers two roads and gets everyone across safely.

"You think they would give us time to get used to the lights?"

Roy, who is 80, was swamped by parents and children as he stood at his post in Drumfrochar Road for the last time as the school knocked off for the mid-term break.

He has now been moved to another school.

Another mum Alison Reynolds, 38, also from Killochend Drive, walks her children Zack, nine, and Anna, five, to school and is unhappy at the decision.

She said: "I honestly can't believe what the council are doing.

"The kids have to get across the road so quickly and it is so very busy.

"It's unbelievable.

Teenager Jordon Dunlop was only 12 when he nearly lost his leg after he was knocked down at the exact spot.

At the time his mum Agnes called for lights at the junction and they were finally installed recently, six years on from the accident.

The council has told the Tele they introduced the lights after concerns were raised by the parent council at St Patrick's.

A spokesman said: “Our aim in installing these lights is to improve safety at the Dumfrochar Road/Cornhaddock Street junction.

"These lights are state-of-the-art and comply with all the appropriate guidance and best practice.

"We will monitor them and carry out a further safety audit at the junction.”