TORFAEN AM Lynne Neagle joined parents from Aberyschan schools potentially facing closure in a walk up to one of the proposed schools.

Victoria Primary School and Abersychan Brynteg Nursery are at risk of closing in 2017 as part of the Welsh Government’s 21st Schools programme.

Garnteg Primary School is one of the proposed schools which will take pupils should the Abersychan schools close and is just over one mile away.

Despite the short distance between the schools, the increase in pupil numbers would make the narrow, winding streets around the Garndiffaith school much busier.

Mrs Neagle raised her own concerns about the route, which could pose a number of dangers to the pupils and parents.

“I was pleased to have the opportunity to walk the proposed route with some of the parents on Friday,” said the Torfaen AM.

“However, I am really concerned that much of the route does not have any pavements at all.

“Although the roads were relatively quiet because it was after 10am, whenever a car drove past we all had to react and move quickly out of the way,” said Mrs Neagle.

She added her concerns about the safety issue of parents with young children in pushchairs, which many parents from her group were using.

“I would be very worried about parents, some with prams or pushchairs, walking with small children when the roads are busy with other parents taking their children to Garnteg Primary School by car,” said Mrs Neagle.

“I will be raising my concerns about the safety of the proposed walking route with the local authority.”

A public consultation period opened on November 12, closing on Monday January 4 2016, in which interested parties are welcomed to voice their concerns over the proposed closure of the Abersychan schools.