A COUNCILLOR has expressed fears for pupil safety travelling to two new SEND schools in Wokingham.
The decision taken in October last year to locate the schools in Rooks Nest has angered parents and residents who claim the site is unsuitable.
Cllr Charles Margetts, Conservative councillor for Finchampstead North, said this week that while he recognised the need for more SEND schools, he described Rooks Nest as “the wrong location.”
“It’s down a narrow country road, there’s no pavements, there’s minimal public transport, it’s the loss of the gap between Finchampstead and Barkham, it will change the area of the countryside and its countryside in the local plan.
“We could see an extra 200-300 vehicle journeys a day. I accept the decision has been made but I am also concerned there has been no progress regarding transport needs or cycle routes.”
Cllr Margetts has also suggested that Cala Homes has offered to build a SEND school, as an alternative to the primary school agreed in its planning consent in Arborfield.
Cllr Prue Bray, deputy council leader and executive member for Children’s Services, said this week: “All of our schools are expected to have travel plans and we will be looking to minimise car usage for the staff. However, these are special schools, and it is unlikely that the students would be able to travel to school by bicycle or bus or walking.
“So, any public transport links would be for the benefit of the staff rather than the children.”
A spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council added: “The site for the new SEND schools was approved earlier this month by the executive board. We will now start more detailed plans, which will include the schools and the infrastructure around them.”
