New Colne primary school planned

Transport consultancy Singleton Clamp & Partners has been appointed by Lancashire County Council to make the case for development of a new primary school in Laneshawbridge, Colne.

The Ofsted 'outstanding' school has out-grown its present site and needs additional pupil capacity and improved facilities. An adjoining piece of land has been identified for the new school. Once the new site is complete, the old one will make way for car parking and a drop-off and collection area. The council says this will bring significant improvements to the local highway network for pupils, staff and local residents alike.

David Roberts, director of SCP, explained: "The original building was constructed in 1912 to serve the small village of Laneshawbridge. The school has limited outside space for play and there is no space on the current site for further expansion. The school is located on a narrow lane with on-street parking and there is currently no parking within the school site, which leads to congestion at the start and end of the school day as parents drop off and collect children. This is compounded by the fact that due to the popularity of the school, only a small proportion of pupils live within walking distance and as a result most travel by car."

Roberts added: "SCP has previously provided assistance for new schools at Waterfoot Primary School and Fulwood Academy in Lancashire. Following the successes, we are delighted to have been have been approached by the council to again assist them in securing a new primary school at Laneshawbridge."