PARENTS are celebrating after winning new school safety measures. Last March we reported how pupils from Newbridge Comprehensive were forced to walk in the road through overcrowding on a narrow footpath under Bridge Street railway bridge.

Parents called for a footbridge after an 11-year-old boy was knocked down near the school.

Now the Assembly has responded with £282,000 for a Safe Walk to School scheme for the area.

Plans include improvements such as widening footpaths, and a bridge linking the town centre with the school and the new housing development in the south of the town.

One father, Leigh Bottel, said he sees children "dashing back and forth" when he collects his 14-year-old daughter, Amy. "It's brilliant they are going to build a bridge because it is so dangerous," he said. "A bad accident is just waiting to happen."

Another parent, who has a 12-year-old son at the school, said: "I have had to slam on my brakes before because they just step out. The sooner this is built the better."

Deputy head Nick Thomas said the school was delighted. "Anything which means our pupils get to school safely is to be welcomed. It is hard to relax when you know they are dashing across roads to get here." Chairman of the governors Michael Gray said they had been in discussions with the Assembly for years.

"It's something we have wanted for a long time," he said. "Having to go under the railway to get up into the village is quite dangerous."

Newbridge councillor Mike Davies added: "The journey to Newbridge School is fraught with dangers for pedestrians and we are thrilled something is being done about this."

Newbridge residents can comment on the proposals at public meetings at Newbridge Memo on March 16 at 2pm and 6pm.

The plans, along with those for the new railway station, will be on display at the Memo from March 16 to 19.