PARENTS reacted with anger to a county and district councillor’s claim that an unlit school route on a pathless rural road was safe for pupils to walk.

Gloucestershire Council initially sparked fury when it said it would be removing bus passes in January from children in Drybrook who attend Dene Magna School in Mitcheldean.

And Cllr Brian Robinson – Conservative leader on the Forest of Dean Council and editor of the road safety I Care Do You? campaign – added fuel to the fire when he declared on social media that he had walked the Stenders Road route before school started in half an hour, and had not experienced any problems.

Nearly 400 people then took to Facebook, with people saying the road was “dangerous” and children’s lives were being put “at risk”.

Labour Forest Council ward members Cllr Douglas Scott and Cllr Jackie Fraser called a public meeting at Drybrook RFC on Saturday, November 3, attended by Cllr Robinson, after which he asked the county council to reconsider parents’ concerns.

Dene Magna principal Stephen Brady also said he would be walking the route and passing on his observations to the council.

One mother called it “an accident waiting to happen”, while others called it “outrageous”, an “absolute disgrace”, “senseless” and “ludicrous”.

Wayne Stevens said it was: “Absolutely unbelievable that they are considering risking lives to save a few quid.“

Gem Bobber Watkins added: “I for one would not allow my children to walk it to and from school,” while Chelsea Mitchell said, “Absolutely ridiculous, when did the safety of children become such a small matter?”

Emma Jones posted: “What about when it’s dark, foggy and wet? The visibility on that road is horrendous when it’s foggy, and when it rains the whole road turns into a river.”

Gavin Jones, who said he had walked the route for years, added: “I have come close several times to being hit by oncoming cars.”

Mitcheldean and Drybrook ward member Cllr Robinson undertook the walk in a hi vis jacket accompanied by Cllr Terry Hale (Newland and St Briavels, Con) and two county council officers on October 31, and following the furious reaction of parents, he walked the route again after school the following day in rainy conditions.

After the first walk, he said: “We set off at 7.45am in time to reach Dene Magna by 8.30am. We walked on the right against oncoming traffic.

“During the walk we were passed by 150 vehicles in the one hour spent walking both ways… Throughout the walk I remained in the road and did not feel the need to step into the verge but I could have done if necessary.

“I could see oncoming vehicles in good time and believe drivers could see me. I was wearing a high visibility jacket and would recommend this to others walking because it gives drivers more chance to pass safely.”

After his second walk, Cllr Robinson reasserted: “Our experience over two days has not been able to provide any evidence that the officers’ assessment of the route (that it is safe) is wrong.”

Alan Mills replied: “I live on this road. I hear tyres squealing everyday where drivers are travelling too fast for the road.”

Cllr Robinson later described November 3’s public meeting as “very useful.”

“Parents made some valuable additional points about safety on the road and I have also read and noted the many views expressed on my Facebook page.

“As a result I have requested the county council leadership to take on board this extra information and also note the strength of local opinion about the safety of this route.

“Many thanks to all who have taken the time to respond. I have listened and will take your message forward.”

Parents have also raised concerns that children in Harrow Hill will be forced to walk through the woodlands to The Plump.