A COWDENBEATH lollipop man who has seen drivers reading newspapers as they hurtle towards him admits he doesn't feel safe.

Grandad Nat Whyte made an appeal in the Times last month for motorists to slow down before a serious accident occurs on Foulford Road.

Stationed at the entrance to the public park, he helps children cross the road on their way to Foulford and Cowdenbeath primary schools but fears speeding drivers could cost a life.

Asked if he felt safe in his job, the 66-year-old said: "To be honest, no. At times I don't feel safe at all.

"A lot of people saw the first story in the Times, which is great, you want the message to get across, but just days later I was in the middle of the road when one of the kids crossing the road said 'That car isn't going to stop'.

"I stood my ground and thankfully she just stopped in time. I said to her 'It's 20mph, not 100' and she just looked right through me as if I didn't exist.

"Something like that happens every day."

Nat continued: "I've had about four very near things. One lady was texting as she came down the brae and stopped her car about a foot from me.

"She said 'I never saw you' and I replied 'It's because you were texting' and her face went bright red.

"She could have killed me and the bairns crossing the road at the time."

He added: "You see them combing their hair, eating, drinking coffee, one was reading a newspaper one morning!

"It's unbelievable. Some of them are doing 40-45mph easy, certainly well over 20.

"And I know it happens outside other schools too."

As kids returned to school after the Easter break, Nat was pleased to see police with speed cameras and the 'pop-up Jimmy' at Foulford Road.

He said: "It certainly slowed the traffic. They've been going round all the schools as speed is a problem. They've also been targeting people who insist on using their mobile phones and driving so it was good to see them."

However, Nat added: "I'd say it works for about a week. Then, when no-one re-appears, the drivers go back to their old ways of hammering up and down the brae.

"I'm not on a crusade or the bad man that wants everyone booked, I'm a driver too, I just want to make people aware it's a school crossing area and it's a 20mph limit."

Nat said new housing developments meant the road was busier than when he first started the job over three years ago.

He added: "Lots of parents drive their kids to school and there are also kids crossing here who go to St Bride's and Cowdenbeath primary schools too as Foulford is full up.

"It's very busy and there's no flashing lights or 20mph signs to say to motorists that there's a school crossing patrol ahead.

"There used to be lights but they disappeared."

Nat concluded: "I love the job and most of the people are fine, they really appreciate what you do.

"I've got a great rapport with the kids and parents, but some of the drivers are pinheads who don't care about anyone apart from themselves.

"If they're running late, they just put the foot down and to hell with everyone else.

"But if they kill or maim someone they'll have to live with it for the rest of their life."