New bridge makes it a safe trip to school for Eastergate pupils

The 15m-long structure crosses a rife which separates the school's grounds from Westergate Community School.

This means that children going to and from the school from the Westergate area can reach the primary school through a short cut along paths in the community school's grounds.

Their only route previously was to have to walk along Church Lane where the primary school is sited.

Among those at the bridge's opening ceremony were Melanie Burgoyne and her daughter, Georgina, 8.

Westergate Street resident Mrs Burgoyne said: "The new bridge is going to mean much less stress going to and from school.

"Church Lane has a very narrow path and you can't get by if there are cars parked there. This meant having to walk in the road, which was busy and packed with people.

"The new bridge will make a real difference, especially to mothers with pushchairs and toddlers. It will also save us up to five minutes of the 10-15 minutes it took us to walk to school if we don't have to watch out for cars any more."

The new wooden bridge, which is in the primary school's grounds was opened by the Bishop of Horsham, the Rt Rev Lindsay Urwin.

He took part in a service in front of all the school's 140 pupils along with local vicar, the Rev Simon Holland, before the ceremony.

The bridge was built thanks to a 21,000 investment by West Sussex County Council after local county councillor Derek Whittington had championed the idea along with the primary school's governors.

Headteacher Jude Holland said: "The idea of the bridge has been discussed during the five years I have been here and the governors were talking about it for years before that.

"The bridge will also help the school in its strong links with Westergate School.

"Escorting pupils in between the sites will be a lot easier when using the bridge than having to go along Church Lane with its right-angled bend and lack of pavement."

As well as the bridge, the opening ceremony included a new extension to the school building.

The new wing houses new offices, an extra washroom and a first aid room.

It also provides improved access and security by the school through a new entrance.

This was the final part of a two phase plan. Part one saw the development of a larger classroom and a new library on the site of the former offices and a small storage area.

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