Concerns raised over potholes in Glyn Ceiriog as youngsters unable to get to school

Sionedd Hughes, of Glyn Ceiriog in Wrexham said her son was left unable to attend school due to the sheer amount of ‘totally unavoidable’ potholes in the area.

Her 13-year-old son Richard has used a council run taxi service to get to and from school since he started.

But now, despite returning after the Covid-19 pandemic, Sionedd said the drivers have refused to pick him up and drop him off due to the ‘ridiculous’ state of the road – which has meant he was unable to attend school earlier this week.

Potholes in Glyn Ceiriog

She told the Leader: “We can physically drive no more than 5mph, because of the depth and quantity of the potholes, which in places stretch all the way across the road, so are totally unavoidable.

“This is impacting on all aspects of our life, and the council do not care. We live in a recognised Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but it seems the council puts no value on this either.

“The roads have been in a poor state for years. My son is in Year 8 now but when we applied for school transport we were told the taxi service would not come up here because the roads were so bad.

“But then one agreed and they have been fine, they have been brilliant but they have been reporting multiple claims due to damage to cars and nothing has been done.

“So last week, when the spring broke on one of the cars, they contacted us and said they couldn’t collect Richard on Monday because the roads are too bad, which I totally agree with.

“It was suggested he walk three quarters of a mile to get the bus. We are quite isolated but the weather has been horrific, there’s no shelter and I’m just not in agreement with it.”

Sionedd said potholes have been an ongoing issue for over 10 years but has now become ‘potholes vs education’.

Potholes in Glyn Ceiriog

She added: “We now have a three-quarter mile gap between my son and his education and the council don’t seem to want to do anything about it.

“No work is carried out, they don’t regard our views. Richard hasn’t been able to go to school because if they refuse to drive down the road because it’s dangerous then I don’t want to either.

“We live near the English border and you can just tell the difference instantly on the roads. It’s a challenge.

“My son is missing out. We do live in an isolated area, we are farmers its our nature and our businesses. But he has had no social contact because of the pandemic and now he’s finally returned to school, he’s now back off and will be until something is done.

“But the council don’t want to hear about it.”

Wrexham council has been approached for comment.