SCHOOL 'WILL LEAD TO TRAFFIC CHAOS'

South Wales Evening Post - 21 March 2006

Protesters fighting a new Welsh school in West Cross because of congestion fears took to the streets at rush-hour yesterday to drive their message home.

They gathered at West Cross Avenue to show the affect a school would have on traffic in the area. Swansea Council wants to create a permanent site for Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwynderw, which is currently housed in the grounds of Bishop Gore Comprehensive.

The new school would take the place of the West Cross Children's Home in West Cross Avenue, which is moving to a new home in Milford Way, Blaenymaes.

But residents in West Cross have criticised the plan.

Protester Richard Clarke, a local resident, said: "We are in complete agreement that there needs to be a suitable Welsh school for the people of Llwynderw, but this site is not right.

"The plan is for an extra 450 pupils to be bussed into the school.

"And the main reason for the protest was to show the impact on road traffic flow.

"It is extremely busy and potentially very dangerous.

"There was major congestion and buses couldn't get past.

"Child safety will be compromised."

Mr Clarke said about 20 residents had taken part in the protest."There is also the environmental aspect," he added.

"The plan is for 50 per cent of all the mature trees to be completely felled, so the green site would be lost."

Protesters said that they were not against the school but felt the location of the site, on West Cross Lane, was inappropriate.

Another protester, Brenda Stevens, aged 60, said: "More traffic will make it less safe for residents, many of whom are elderly, as well being bad for the environment."

Leaflets have been sent to residents asking for their views on the plans.

Richard Parry, Swansea Council's education director, said residents' fears had been heeded and that the plans included traffic calming measures.