Campaigners who fought to keep open Welshpool’s famous “wiggly path” through the grounds of the former Ardwyn Nursery School are celebrating.
Governors at the newly named Ysgol Gymraeg v Trallwng asked the council to secure the Ardwyn site and it was announced that the pathway through the grounds would have to close after over 60 years.
But now the council has announced the path will stay open and is being fenced off from the school in a move that meets safety concerns of the children and allows the public to use the valuable link between the town and Red Bank.
Campaigners had demonstrated by forming a human chain along the pathway and Graham Breeze, the County Councillor for the Llanerchyddol Ward, took their protests to the council’s education department and announced the decision.
“It is heartening to know that the officers have listened to our views and while we must always be aware of the safety of the schoolchildren a valuable compromise has been found,” he said.
“The alternative route for people taking pushchairs and prams up Red Bank, where there is no pavement, was extremely dangerous and the council has recognised the issues. Fencing off the path was the best solution.”
Alan Crowe, who fronted a campaign and organised the human chain, was delighted by the decision.
“This is really good news,” he said. “The path is the main artery for people, linking the Red Bank area with the town centre. Keeping this lifeline open is most welcome for our people with pushchair who prefer to be active and walk.”