School route crosses railway line

Parents demonstrated where the children would cross

Parents say their children's lives will be put at risk when the new term begins because the only way they can walk to school is across a busy railway line.

A bridge closure has cut off much of the village of Colwall, in Herefordshire, from its school.

This leaves only a footpath crossing the track for the children to use.

Herefordshire Council said it would put on buses to take the children around the bridge and arrange for wardens to supervise children crossing the line.

Parents 'afraid'

Councillor Brian Wilcox, of Herefordshire Council, said the council was reconsidering whether the bridge could be opened for pedestrians before the start of term next week.

He added that the council would ensure that children got to school safely.

But parent Claire Pearson said: "I'm just afraid that someone's going to be killed.

"It attracts the children to it. We've always been telling them they must not go near the railway line so now we say 'come across it twice a day'."