Public school bids to close path

St Peter's School, in Clifton, has applied to City of York Council to close the public right of way that runs through its campus, linking Westminster Road and North Parade.

A spokesman said safety concerns had prompted the school to make the application, after it had suffered burglaries and vandalism.

He said the path, thought to have been a right of way for about 100 years, was sometimes used for drug taking, and there had been some minor "scuffles" between its users and pupils.

The school is taking advantage of new legislation brought in since the gun massacre at Dunblane which gives schools the right to close a public right of way if pupils and staff are at risk.

But local residents are likely to fight the proposed closure, as the path gives access to the River Ouse and is used by dog walkers.

The school spokesman said he understood that the move could cause "dismay" locally.

He said: "We can understand that some people will be upset. But we hope they understand that we have to act in the best interests of pupils and staff.

"It's not as if there aren't other available access roads to the river."

He said the school had put in place a number of security measures on the footpath over the years, including a two-way barrier to prevent motorcycles riding along it, and CCTV cameras.

But he said that after consultation with North Yorkshire Police, the school felt the only way it could improve safety would be to close the right of way altogether.

Ken King, Labour councillor for Clifton, said the school's argument that it had to close the path for safety reasons was a "feeble excuse". He said residents were worried about the prospect of losing their right of way.

He added: "There's been a right of way as long as I can remember. I used to use it when I was a child - it's a nice pleasant walk.

"If St Peter's School is part of York, I believe that residents should be able to enjoy it and walk through there."

Updated: 14:29 Tuesday, July 20, 2004