Councillors have agreed to spend £110,000 on two new road crossings outside St Martin’s School in Caerphilly town and a crossing in Ystrad Mynach.
Pupils at St Martin’s Comprehensive School in Caerphilly have welcomed plans from the council to provide a zebra crossing on St Martin’s Road and a puffin crossing on the busy Mountain Road, funded through the Welsh Government.
Kerry Davies, headteacher of St Martin’s Comprehensive School, said: “I am pleased that the council takes our pupils’ safety seriously. The introduction of these crossings will provide a safer route to school for many of our students. Pupils, parents and Governors are looking forward to the work being completed.”
The crossings in Caerphilly will be in place this year, with a further puffin crossing in Ystrad Mynach being planned for the 2012/13 financial year.
The crossing, which will benefit two primary schools – Ystrad Mynach Primary and Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Allta, will replace a zebra crossing already on the site.
Terry Shaw, head of engineering services at Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “The council is committed to improving road safety in the county borough, for motorists and pedestrians alike. With the provision of these new crossings, our students and general pedestrians will benefit from safer routes to their destinations.”
This is excellent news and its what we've campaigning for. Its taken far too long but at last we don't just have one crossing but two. My thanks to the support of the pupils and staff of the school and also to the Highways department of CCBC who have liaised with us so much over this scheme.
Well done Independent Cllr. Lee Jones who has vigourously fought for a crossing at this school for the last four years, since his election in 2008. In my view it is shameful that councillor Elsbury cannot bring himself to acknowledge the contribution made by Cllr. Jones and his daughter (former pupil and head girl at St.Martin's school) who also was prominent in this campaign.
Without the work of the head Kerry Davies in conjuction with Cllrs Colin Elsbury and Stephen Kent as well as schools safety officer Sandra Davies this would never have got off the ground. Both Cllrs were former pupils of St Martins and crossings were asked for back in the 80s. The crossings also support residents of Bronrhiw Fach who have been requesting a safe crossing point since being built.
It's good to see a plan eventually come together.