Archive - Tuesday, 6 July 2004


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Dirty pupils prompt school lane's repair

COUNCILLORS this week agreed to take action to improve a school footpath in Monmouth, which parents say is in an appalling state.

Members of the Central Monmouthshire Area Committee received a petition signed by the parents of 150 children at Overmonnow Primary School over the condition of the nearby footpath.

Williamsfield Lane is an unadopted path, which is in such a poor condition that children arrive at school with muddy shoes and socks and have to remain in them all day.

Jenny Lewis, the council's area general manager, said Monmouthshire council was willing to address the problem, but there was an issue of ownership to resolve first.

She said: "The will is there for us to address this issue. We feel it is important and it fits very neatly with our Safe Routes To School policy.

"It is in our interest to spend the money doing this and to the highest standard possible.

"The problem is with the ownership of the lane, which changes half way down.

"We have to get permission from the owner, so things will not change immediately."

Head teacher of Overmonnow Primary, Huw Williams, who supported the parents' petition, said pupils were arriving at school dirty and wet.

As a result, he added, a section of corridor carpet had to be replaced after only six months.