Council funding provides students with a safer route to school

County Councillor for Hellesdon, Shelagh Gurney, has awarded £13,000 of her Local Member Fund so that the school can erect a footway fence, creating a pathway for students along the edge of its football field. Students will be able to access the path via a secure gate next to the new Persimmon Homes site on Birchwood Road, meaning they will no longer have to walk along the busy Drayton High Road pathway and cycleway.

Shelagh Gurney said: “As the local County Councillor I am delighted to be able to assist Hellesdon High with this project as part of a safe routes to school strategy. Both my sons are former pupils at the school and when I enquired about the gate being opened for safer access, I was only too happy to assist with this NCC funding opportunity for the benefit and safety of the pupils.”

Mike Earl, Principal of Hellesdon High School, said: “We would like to thank Shelagh, and Norfolk County Council, for funding this project which will ensure our students have a safe walk to school. It is hoped the path will be open when the children return to school after the Easter break.”