School boost (From Free Press Series)

School boost

TWO Torfaen schools are due to benefit from an investment in local transport links totalling more than £1 million.

Victoria Primary School, in Abersychan and Our Lady of the Angels Primary will share over £160,000 to plough into their Safe Routes to School scheme.

Victoria stands to receive £79,000 while Our Lady of the Angels safety campaign will get £81,000.

The money comes as £1.3 million is paid to the council from the Welsh Assembly as part of the cost of major transport schemes, including road, infrastructure and rail projects.

Andrew Davies, minister for economic development and transport, unveiled a £1.3m investment in transport schemes across Torfaen, as part of a £125 million funding package to improve Wales' transport infrastructure.

As part of the Welsh Assembly Government's transport grant settlement for 2006-07, the minister has announced the following transport investments for Torfaen:

£800,000 for Cwmbran interchange;

£400,000 for South East Wales Transport Alliance corporate studies, which covers the whole of the South East Wales area;

£79,000 for a safe routes to school' scheme at Victoria Primary School, Abersychan;

£81,000 for a 'safe routes to school' scheme at Our Lady of the Angels Primary School.

Mr Davies said: "I am delighted to announce this major investment in transport schemes for Torfaen and throughout Wales.

"This announcement demonstrates our commitment to investing in our transport networks, and improving local transport services for the people of Torfaen."