CHILDREN walking to school in Cwmbran are set to benefit from a £145,000 grant to make the journey safer.

Torfaen county borough council is allocating the money to improve pedestrian entrances and construct a pathway around Coed Eva Junior School.

Under the “Safe Routes in Communities” scheme, funded by the Assembly, seven nearby subways will be repainted and have anti-vandal lighting installed. A new footpath, alongwith pedestrian waiting shelters, will be built at the school, which is due to merge with Coed Eva Infant School next term.

Staff and pupils made a time capsule to commemorate the work and mark the school’s 40th anniversary, including a school shirt, plaque, school menu and newsletter.

The event coincides with the retirement of headteacher Denise Embrey, who is leaving the junior school at the end of this term after 17 years.

She said: “Every class and staff have contributed something for the capsule.

It is a good time to do something like this because of all the changes that are happening at the school.

“We want someone to open the capsule in 40 years time and learn what a wonderful place the school was.”

Torfaen operational services executive member, Councillor John Cunningham, said: “The work will breathe new life into the subways and will make the area more attractive. We also hope it will encourage people to leave their cars at home.”