CHILDREN at Ford End primary school cheered as a safe new entrance into their school was officially opened last week. Until recently children aged four to 11 had to walk along the busy A130 but following the death of Ford End resident Joan Tarburn the sch

CHILDREN at Ford End primary school cheered as a safe new entrance into their school was officially opened last week.

Until recently children aged four to 11 had to walk along the busy A130 but following the death of Ford End resident Joan Tarburn the school launched its School Travel Plan Consultations and the new entrance was born out of those.

Carrying out the ribbon cutting duties was Mayor of Chelmsford, Cllr David Lee.

Hazel Arnill, head teacher of Ford End Primary School, said: "The new footpath has made the children's journey into school much safer and more pleasant."

"They can now walk through the school field and past an allotment rather than alongside the A130, which is an extremely busy road."

The new route was made possible by a grant of more than £10,000 from Essex County Council's Safer Journeys to School initiative.

In order to set up the new pathway, the children needed to be allowed access to a piece of land owned by CHP.

A spokesman for CHP said: "Following consultations with Essex Police, Essex County Council and Ford End Parish Council, we were delighted to grant the primary school pupils a 'licence to roam' across its property as part

of their Safer Journey to School walkway."

Cllr Norman Hume, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: "We must all do everything we can to avoid accidents involving children and these schemes help.