SCHOOL MOVE 'WILL CAUSE TRAFFIC CHAOS'

26 July 2005

Plans to house three city primaries in one West Cross street under Swansea's big schools shake-up have been branded an accident waiting to happen. Head teacher Colin Greenwood says children at his St David's RC School will be put at risk on the roads because of the massive intake of new pupils and traffic.

It comes after child health expert, Professor Gareth Morgan, said pollution could rise to dangerous levels at the school's busy West Cross Avenue site.

Under the proposals, passed by Swansea Council last month, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwynderw will be moved to a new site in busy West Cross Avenue in 2008. The Welsh school is currently housed temporarily at Bishop Gore comprehensive in Sketty but badly needs a new base, council leaders have said.

But opponents to the plan claim housing the 70-pupil school next to Grange primary and nearby St David's Roman Catholic School will create traffic chaos.Professor Morgan's comments were supported today by the head teacher at his children's St David's School, Colin Greenwood.

Mr Greenwood said: "There are a number of issues I am concerned about from the health and safety point of view.

"There are 420 pupils here from three educational establishments here at the moment and another one will just add to the number of children arriving every day. We already have a problem with parking here but with what the council is proposing it will get much worse.

"It is already an accident waiting to happen and we are very concerned about what will happen when the number of children, busses and cars increases."

A Swansea Council spokesman said all relevant groups were being consulted on the proposals and had the chance to put their views forward to council leader Chris Holley and cabinet member for education Councillor Mike Day.

The spokesman said: "Consultation meetings took place at St David's School on June 29 that involved the governing body, the staff, the parents and the pupils. The feedback from that meeting is currently being assessed.

"However those who attended the meetings would have been assured that if the proposals are agreed by cabinet a comprehensive traffic management plan would be introduced in the area.

"Suitable arrangements for traffic management would also be a key part of any planning application if any proposals for a new school in the area is approved."