Decision on Whiteley Primary School a disgrace say Lib Dems

11.12.52pm GMT Tue 23rd Jan 2007

Lib Dems slam Tory decision to scrap new school plans

Liz Leffman, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the new Meon Valley constituency, today slammed the decision by Conservative-led Hampshire County Council to scrap plans for building a new primary school in Whiteley.

The existing primary school is too small to accommodate the number of primary age children in Whiteley, and parents are forced to drive their children to schools outside the area.

Liz Leffman said "Families in Whiteley have been badly let down by this decision. Instead of being able to attend a primary school in their community, many Whiteley children have to travel a considerable distance by car each day. As Whiteley grows, more children will be affected and the result will be even more cars on our congested roads each morning and afternoon."

Local activist Vivian Achwal says that she understands that several Whiteley families will learn this Friday that they have not been successful in finding a place for their children at Whiteley school.

"More than 25 families are likely to be affected. It is a total disgrace that Hampshire County Council are unable to keep their promise to build an additional primary school in Whiteley."

The second choice for Whiteley parents is Sarisbury Green, but the school there is over-subscribed and some parents may find that they cannot have their second choice either.

"This situation has come about through poor planning" says Liz Leffman. "Local residents and Liberal Democrats in Whiteley have been campaigning for years for a new school, and we won't stop now. The DfES has ring-fenced £4 million for this school and it is only because three Conservative led councils cannot agree on where the school should be sited that this situation has arisen. "