More than a quarter of a million pounds is being given to Newport City Council by the Welsh Assembly to install a new Safe Routes to Schools scheme in Caerleon .

It's part of an ongoing programme to reduce accidents near schools, and the £0.273m scheme in Caerleon is one of the largest in Wales in the latest set of announcements.

The money, which follows a successful application by Newport Council for funding from the Assembly's Transport Grant, will be used to build a network of cycle and footpaths between Caerleon Comprehensive School and outlying parts of the town.

There are also plans for a new zebra crossing and other improvements under the scheme.

Rosemary Butler, AM for Newport West , said:
"These measures will be widely welcomed in Caerleon. Parents are well aware of the dangers facing children on their way to and from school.

"Now that we can get increasing numbers of them off the roads and onto the pavements and pathways we can all breathe a little more freely.

"The Safe Routes to Schools scheme also helps to limit the speed of drivers near schools.Even a small drop in speed saves lives."

Note:
Safe Routes to School encourages children to walk and cycle to school in safety rather than using the car; hence reducing traffic congestion outside the school entrance, by developing footways and introducing traffic calming features.

Safe Routes to Schools are funded through Transport Grant, which is grant aid to local authorities for capital (building) works.

Monday March 5