A NEW row has erupted over the proposed closure of Trevethin Community School after it emerged that improvements to two other schools earmarked to take its pupils are already being considered.

Torfaen councillors have voted to consult over the future of the Pontypool school, preferring the option of closing the school and transferring pupils to West Monmouth and Abersychan schools - but stressing that at the moment a final decision has not yet been made.

But council chiefs say Trevethin is no longer viable as pupil numbers have dropped to 400.

Now the Argus can reveal that Torfaen council has hired a consultancy firm to look at making improvements to West Monmouth and Abersychan schools so they can take Trevethin pupils. So far the work has cost the council £27,000.

Campaigners fighting to keep Trevethin School open are angry that the improvements are being looked at before a final decision on the closure has been made.

Arthur Attwood, chairman of the Community Action Team (Trevethin), said: "They are spending this money prior to any decision. It seems as if it's a done deal already, by the way they are acting, and we are very angry about this.

"They wasted thousands of pounds on feasibility studies on the failed learning centre proposals, and now they are wasting our money on this.

"That £27,000 could be put to good use in Trevethin School and would fund it for four months."

Fellow CAT member Barrie Pearce added: "This feasibility study should be done after a final decision, and not before it."

A council spokeswoman confirmed that consultancy work is being carried out.

"The council commissioned the consultancy practice's Gardner Theobald to act as project manager to carry out the feasibility study of providing extra accommodation and facilities at both schools.

"The council engaged their services to ensure that if the proposal is agreed it can be delivered. This work must be done in advance of a decision to ensure that the viability of the proposal has been fully investigated.

"To date the cost of this work is £27,000. However, it should be noted that if the proposal goes ahead it will, like any major project, incur design fees."