Fear for north Shropshire pupil safety sparks footpath plan

Safety fears at a newly-created school in north Shropshire have prompted plans for a footpath for pupils.

A single primary school, called Shawbury St Mary's CE, has been created from the merger of Shawbury Primary School and St Mary's. A new building on the Shawbury primary site will eventually house the school, but until it is finished pupils will continue to work from both sites.

Parents and parish councillors are worried that the plan for the new building does not include enough safe pick-up and drop-off spaces, especially as more pupils are now expected to need to cross the busy A53 to get to school.

Shawbury Parish Council has drawn up plans for a new footpath at the site, which are expected to be approved at a meeting of the council tonight at 7pm. Villagers have been calling for road safety improvements ever since the school plans were revealed.

Jack Wilson, Shawbury Parish Council clerk, said the path was needed because councillors feared there would not be enough parking near the new building.

He said: "There seems to be little indication in the plans for adequate parking or space to drop the children off.

"The parish council was concerned because it was our responsibility. It is obviously going to cause problems.

"Parents seem frightened to let their children walk any distance on their own so we needed to get it sorted. We have negotiated plans to put a footpath on the playing field so people can park at the council car park and walk their kids down to school.

"We have had site meetings with representatives from the diocese who own the land. The new path will be ready before the new school opens in September 2013."

Shropshire Council is carrying out a feasibility study to find a suitable place for a new crossing.