Safer routes for Pontllanfraith pupils

Children walking to Pontllanfraith primary school can now benefit from a new footpath to help them get there safely.

The route, which has been created as part of Caerphilly county borough council's Rights of Way Improvement Plan, was officially opened last week by the CCBC Mayor, Cllr John Evans.

The tarmac footpath will enable children and their parents to walk to school safely and it also provides a short cut from Penmaen Road to Springfield, the local industrial estates and the new Sainsburys store.

The council's Right's of Way section developed the scheme and also arranged the installation of a field gate which can be locked to prevent illegal vehicular access. The works were funded by Caerphilly county borough council and the Pontllanfraith Community Partnership Area Forum.

Cabinet member for education and leisure, Cllr Phil Bevan said, "As well as providing an important 'Safe Route to School' and a walking route for the wider community, this scheme will also help reduce the traffic congestion caused by the daily school run.

Hopefully, this excellent new footpath will also encourage more people to walk more and explore the impressive network of routes that is growing across the whole area."

This month is International Walk to School Month, so the opening of the 'Safe Route to School' in Pontllanfraith was timely.

International Walk to School Month aims to:

• Encourage physical activity by teaching children the skills to walk safely, how to identify safe routes to school and the benefits of walking.
• Raise awareness of our local environment.
• Reduce traffic congestion, pollution and speed near schools.

The Rights of Way Improvement Plan Funding Programme is funded by Welsh Assembly Government and administered by Countryside Council for Wales.

For more information about Safe Routes to School contact Susan Davies on 01495 235402.