THE Matchborough community has united in a campaign for a new pathway in the area.

Students from Arrow Vale Community High School and ward Councillor Juliet Brunner are exploring the possibility of a new path from the bus stop near the underpass on Matchborough Way down to the artificial pitch.

Mrs Brunner said a pathway was needed as pupils at the Green Sward Lane school currently ended up walking in the road or across a field, meaning they arrived at school covered in mud.

"This traditionally has not had a pathway on it but it certainly does need one," she said.

"Any initiative that gets kids healthy and walking to school without getting covered in mud and not walking on the road should be welcomed."

Mrs Brunner said as well as helping in the Safer Routes to School scheme, a path would make the area safer for young people with disabilities and adults who walked there.

And Bryan Tate, business manager at Arrow Vale, said in November children had met with himself, the county council's Travel-Wise co-ordinator and Pc Dave Wilkins.

He said they had asked the youngsters' views on travelling to school safely and one of the issues raised was the path.

"They said they would like to be able to walk to school but found it difficult because there was no pathway," he said.

"They would be encouraged to walk to school if there was a safer way."

Mr Tate said they were beginning work on a travel plan to be submitted to the county council and once funding had been obtained, they would prioritise the money for various projects to help children get to school safely, including cycling to school.

He added: "We were very impressed with the children at the meeting - they were very positive and were coming up with great ideas."