Bid to open Llanfyllin school grounds out of hours

Before fences were installed last year, town residents, dog walkers, bike riders and children playing had access to the grounds as a cut-through.

Parent Sian Walters, who started the petition, which has around 200 signatures, said: “I totally understand the need to safeguard pupils however I feel the safety of children in the community has now been seriously affected.

“There is no longer access across the school as the gates are kept locked at the entrance opposite Station Road and the Brook Street access road. I have two small children and have regularly used the school site to safely walk to the park and to let the kids run around as I don’t have a garden in which they can do this. It is now of great concern to me that I have to walk to the other end of town with them along the main road. I

“I’m not the only one who is saddened by the decision to try and exclude the community from having access. Many in the town share my thoughts and concerns.”

But according to Powys County Council and the school, there is no public right of way at the site.

A spokesman for Powys County Council said: “There is no public rights of way through the school grounds and the boundary fencing has been installed for safeguarding pupils which arose from an Estyn inspection report. The council needed to introduce these measures to meet with Estyn requirements, safeguard pupils and reduce unauthorised vehicle access onto the site.”

Dewi Owen, Headteacher of Ysgol Llanfyllin, added: “Since the introduction of the extra security measures at the school there has been a marked reduction in litter, dog mess and vandalism on the school site. I would like to thank Powys County Council for their support in making the school grounds safe, secure and clean for our children.”

The petition can be found at https://www.change.org/p/powys-schools-and-education-service-open-gates-at-llanfyllin-high-school-after-school-hours-and-at-weekends