New-style footpath makes school journey safer – and saves trees

An environmentally friendly footpath received a big ‘thumbs up’ from pupils at Newark Hill Primary School in Peterborough – and from conservationists - when it opened in mid-April.

"We were concerned about congestion around the school gate and the risk of accidents," says Victoria Tyers, vulnerable road users project leader for Peterborough City Council. "A nearby cemetery helped out by giving the school use of their car park for parents to drop off and pick up children, but it was necessary to build a new footpath alongside the road to get the children safely from the car park to school.

"Unfortunately, building the footpath threatened to seriously damage the roots of the trees growing alongside the road," she adds. "We consulted the city council's tree officer and he proposed a tree-friendly footpath built on top of the soil.'

To create this type of footpath a plastic grid is laid on top of the soil after the ground vegetation is removed, keeping the soil and foundation separate. Upon completion, the footpath looks like a conventional one.

"I am delighted that this project was given the go ahead and that we have been able to build a safe route to school and preserve the trees," says Brian Ogden, principal arboricultural officer for the city council. "This type of path has never been utilised in Peterborough before."

A plan of the path is available from Karen Cornish, corporate communications officer, Peterborough City Council, on (01733) 452550.