Pupils petition council over state of school lane (From Free Press Series)

Pupils petition council over state of school lane

PARENTS of children attending Overmonnow Primary School have handed a petition into Monmouth-shire County Council over the condition of a footpath leading to the school.

Williamsfield Lane is an unadopted path that is in a poor state of repair that the children arrive at school with wet and muddy shoes and socks, and have to remain in this state all day.

The petition, signed by the parents of 150 children, has been supported by the school's head teacher Huw Williams.

He said: "This past winter a considerable number of pupils arrived in school with dirty, wet shoes and this contributed significantly to the need to replace a section of corridor carpet after only six months wear.

"This has also affected groups moving to and from school to involve themselves in community links leaving teachers to find other routes to avoid difficult walking conditions."

The petition is being discussed at tomorrow's meeting of the Central Monmouth-shire Area Committee and Jenny Lewis the council's Area General Manager has already walked the route with three representatives from the petitioners.

Mrs Lewis said: "The council has been made aware of this problem in the past and it has been suggested that repair work could be carried out from the grants available from the Wales Assembly under their Safe Routes to School Scheme.

"The street lighting in this area has already been improved by the council and we already undertake to keep the undergrowth trimmed on an ad hoc basis.

"Due to the number of children using the lane it is recommended that minimising the undergrowth on the path is recognised as an essential part of making this a safe route to school."