Sir.-I have been doing the job of school crossing patrol for Tadley Community Primary School on the A340 for the past 27-and-a-half years - accident free! I retire at the end of this term.

How many of you know Tadley and this stretch of the busy main road? It is a most dangerous route.

When I started in September 1977, the local policeman, then Pc S Payne, attended. His words were: "This is one of the most dangerous crossings in Hampshire." It still is, as the volume of traffic has increased.

On learning that there was to be no replacement for me due to the pelican lights, I was absolutely dumbfounded.

Yes, the lights are helpful. It is better than when I started and had to walk out to stop traffic with the lollipop stick.

As you may be aware, the lollipop stick was withdrawn not so long ago. This symbol was recognised by the children and drivers alike, and was surely another asset to safety.

My interpretation of a school crossing patrol is to ensure the safety of the children.

Over a recent week, I, along with a friend, have done a traffic survey at the school crossing. For three-quarters-of-an-hour in the morning there were 665 vehicles, and for half-an-hour in the afternoon there were 390.

These figures do not vary very much. Among these numbers, three emergency vehicles sped past with sirens blaring.

Do you consider that, without an adult in control, children aged from four-and-a-half to 11 years old are safe? No way!

The lives of all are at great risk.

I've always told the children we must stay put and let emergency vehicles through but, with the green man flashing to indicate that children can cross, and with no adult supervision, I dread to think of the consequences.

It could only take one person or child to forget and the rest might follow.

There are 400 children at Tadley Community Primary School and about 200 use the crossing on a daily basis.

The wages for a school crossing patrol are around £38 per week.

Work this out for the amount of children crossing and, by my calculations, it's 19p a week per child. A pittance, don't you think?

I know there are cuts and savings expected in all departments, but, don't forget, these are children's lives you are dicing with.

I do hope the decision will be reconsidered.

Although I am leaving I want the children of Tadley Community Primary School to remain accident free.

-Joyce Lambden, The Green, Tadley.