Schools' merger plans rejected

Parents and residents of two south Shropshire schools have rejected county council plans for a merger by a margin of almost 2 to 1, according to a new survey.

People in Ashford Carbonell and Caynham responded to a survey organised by Liberal Democrats in the two villages.

Councillor Vivienne Parry, the county councillor for the area, said: "We distributed the surveys to each house in both villages and at the school gates at home time.

"Around 65 per cent of respondents rejected the county's proposals. The majority against among parents was higher still.

"Reading the surveys, it seems the only people in favour of the county scheme are a few Ashford residents whose real complaint is about the parking outside the school.

"Though this is a valid concern, I'm sure it can be addressed by less drastic measures than closing the school."

Councillor Mrs Parry said secondary questions on the location of a new school broke down on village lines, apart from those complaining about parking.

Today Councillor Mrs Heather Kidd, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Ludlow, who organised the survey, added: "Residents and parents alike were glad that someone had taken the trouble to consult them.

"The county is so obsessed with securing capital investment for building from the Government that it is pressing on, irrespective of what local people think."