Living Streets chairman John Gollop sets off on foot from the Baubigny Schools. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0826697)

STUDENT safety makes it imperative an application to allow pupils to use a green lane route to Baubigny Schools is approved, Living Streets has said.

The pedestrian safety group has been frustrated in its efforts to make the route available to students walking or cycling from St Peter Port in time for the start of the school year.

Chairman John Gollop said that allowing students to use the path, which leads through a private vinery to the back of the schools, would encourage more to walk or cycle.

‘It goes without saying that all schools should have pathways that are safe and attractive to use as paths like this work towards the States’ exercise strategy and it could stop more money having to be used on the bus service,’ he said.

‘Student safety is our number one concern but engaging young people with the environment is part of it as well.’

Deputy Gollop was disappointed that the planning application had been delayed – it sought permission for safety measures of two gates, an earth bank to define the pathway and a chain-link fence.

‘We have had a degree of sympathy from parts of Environment and Education, but no commitment to action and in the case of the Home Department, we have had some opposition based on the prison,’ he said.