Routes from Broadlands to Laleston Part 2

After attending the Residents meeting last year, our family and neighbours took away the clear message that our other children may not be able to attend Maes Yr Haul School (even though our first child is in attendance at the school and our second just due to start when the catchment changes). Both of us work full time; split schooling would cause an issue in being at both schools for 9am. The representatives from Bridgend Borough Council at the residents meeting made no guarantees about a position for our child, even with siblings attending the same school. In practical terms this will mean that at least one of our children will be late for school every day (even driving from Maes-Yr-Haul to Laleston between 8:30am and 9:00am takes at least 10-15mins due to the volume of traffic within Broadlands and secondly the school run at Trelales brings additional traffic problems). Trelales is an excellent school and both Schools are comparable on teaching standards - its certainly our second choice - this is not the issue, but having children at 2 schools is difficult.

Current Route to School: If you consider the below map, you can see the routes to school from western broadlands, or Clos Henblas and Rhodfa Mes (green/yellow lines), there are safe routes via cycle paths and only crossing a small number of speed restricted roads. The Broadlands development was designed with the school and facilities at the heart of the site all linked by the safe cycle routes.

If the proposals go ahead (the blog post here shows that BCBC are moving forward with this) there are some key issues with the route into Laleston which need to be addressed, see this blog post - you can see that the route via Gypsy lane has no footpaths and secondly its being used as short cut by drivers wanting a fast route from North (A473 to South A48). Perhaps this needs to become a pedestrian only route?

There is also the issue that we'll need to be in two places at once!

Key: Green block (Rhodfa Mes), Orange Block (Clos Henblas), Red Block (New Development Cae Gleision).

View Maes-Yr-Haul Catchment Changes in a larger map

Response received from Bridgend CBC... Time for action!

Dear Mr Hughes
I acknowledge receipt of your e-mail and apologise for the delay in responding.

It is the intention of Officers to go ahead with the formal consultation to re-configure the catchment areas of Maes yr haul and Trelales Primary Schools, for the reasons stated at the meeting with parents held in November 2009. This formal process will involve all residents and not only parents of existing pupils. We note the Association’s concerns as outlined in your letter dated 22nd November 2009 regarding the validity of the data and safety issues relating to proposed route(s) to Trelales. I am working with Road Safety and Highways colleagues to explore these safety concerns and ensure that pupils will have a safe means of getting to school.

I will keep you informed of developments.
Regards
Mark
--
Mark Beauchamp
Group Manager, Learner Support Services
Children's Directorate
Sunnyside
Bridgend
CF31 4AR