Youngsters praised for input into improving safety at school -
02/03/07
Vale of Glamorgan students have played a leading role in the
introduction of a series of safety measures in the vicinity of
their secondary school.
The improvements at St Richard Gwyn RC High School in Barry,
including the development of a separate entrance into the school
grounds for walkers and cyclists, providing direct access to two
new stands for 40 bicycles, have been implemented by the Vale of
Glamorgan Council using a £163,000 Welsh Assembly Government "Safe
Routes to School" grant.
The ways in which safety on journeys to and from school could be
improved and the necessary engineering measures were identified by
a cross section of pupils, known as "The Team," in a School Travel
Plan.
The works have also included a new pedestrian crossing, the
introduction of a 20mph zone, and refurbishment of the poorly lit
subway running under the Barry Docks Link road. This has now been
enhanced by the provision of new lights and CCTV, and a planting
programme at the entrances undertaken by pupils.
The pupils' plan has also led to drop off and collection points
for school buses being improved, and footpaths to bus bays being
realigned and widened.
The project was officially unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony
attended by pupils, teachers and governors, AM Tamsin Dunwoody,
Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, Vale
Cabinet Member for Visible Services Cllr Rob Curtis and Vale AM
Jane Hutt.
Thanking the Welsh Assembly for continuing to fund important
safety projects outside schools across the Vale, Cllr Curtis said:
"The great thing about this project is that, thanks to the
leadership of the governors and teachers Moya Saunders and Louise
Boylan, the pupils themselves have always had complete
ownership.
"They worked hard to identify ways in which to improve the
safety of their journeys to and from school and also considered
ways in which to encourage sustainable transport, ie, more walkers
and bikers and less car journeys. They even tackled the thorny
issue of school transport."
Ms Dunwoody said: “The pupils are to be commended for their hard
work in identifying the improvements that were needed to make their
journeys to school safer and more sustainable.
“Sustainable travel is very important. If we can encourage young
people to walk and cycle to school, reducing the number of car
journeys and keeping them safe at the same time, then it makes the
Safe Routes to School Scheme even more important.”
Vale Council Road Safety Manager Mike Dacey, who triggered the
initiative following a talk on school safety projects to school
governors, said: "The Team identified a long list of concerns,
including problems no-one else had really noticed, and an equally
long list of solutions."