Frustration over 'nightmare' school footpath closure

Parents have voiced their frustration over the closure of a footpath near a Nottinghamshire school, describing it as a "nightmare".

The walkway close to Kirkby Woodhouse School in Main Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, was closed on 5 October last year due to concerns over a damaged wall.

Temporary traffic lights have been introduced to make room for a barrier diverting people away from the path.

Ashfield District Council says work is due to begin on the wall in June.

A barrier has been in place since 15 March, separating pedestrians walking on the road from the traffic.

Sandeep Chauhan, whose daughter attends the primary school, called for clearer communication on the closure, describing it as "a nightmare for parents and children".

“The barrier offers no protection, other than a visual deterrent to avoid it," the 44-year-old said.

"If a car hit that barrier it would make no difference.

"It would be an absolute catastrophe and travesty.”

Lizzie Townsend’s nephew also attends the school.

“It’s really inconvenient, it feels like it’s been here so long now and it’s getting beyond a joke," she said.

"The children had to draw their journey to school at the start of the year and they even included the broken wall in it.

“We just want to see someone doing something to fix it.

"We understand that it takes time and money but it’s been like this for such a long time."

A spokesperson for Ashfield District Council said: "We are in the final stages of signing and sealing contracts for work to commence and hope this will begin in early June to finally make the wall safe and reopen the footpath."

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