Splattered kids in muddy school run

Worried parents are calling for action after claiming their youngsters are having to battle through a quagmire to get to school.
Wingerworth's Deer Park Primary School pupils Max and Mia Hudson with five-year-old Libby Dyson facing a water-logged walk to school.Wingerworth's Deer Park Primary School pupils Max and Mia Hudson with five-year-old Libby Dyson facing a water-logged walk to school.
Wingerworth's Deer Park Primary School pupils Max and Mia Hudson with five-year-old Libby Dyson facing a water-logged walk to school.

Mum Julie Dyson, of Hallfield Close, Wingerworth, revealed how the village path between Longedge Lane and Deer Park Primary School is flooded and dangerous and leaves youngsters’ shoes and clothes covered in mud as they wade back and forth.

Ms Dyson, whose five-year-old daughter Libby goes to the school, said: “We’ve suffered for years with this problem.

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Parents and children get soaked and some elderly grandparents who are walking their grandchildren to school are also being put at risk.

“It is often flooded and is never cleared of leaves making the path slippery and dangerous.

“The children’s shoes are often covered in mud as well as their tights and trousers and this gets dragged into school.”

Ms Dyson explained parents are directed towards the path via a lollipop lady and they do not prefer to take their children via New Road because it is too busy with traffic.

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There is an alternative rural path, according to Ms Dyson, which leads youngsters too close to a pond.

Wingerworth parish council chairman Mike Taylor said he was not clear which local authority is responsible for the path but the parish council is always willing and eager to clear the route.

He said: “When there have been problems with sludge and blockages we try and sort it out but it’s not easy because of drainage from the lie of the land.

“We urge people to let us know because we want to keep it clear to encourage people to walk instead of taking cars.

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“We understand people use it and we know it can suddenly get bad overnight. We do try to keep it clear.”

Derbyshire County Council and NE Derbyshire District Council said the land is not their responsibility.