A FATHER has told the Chronicle that he lived in fear of a child being seriously injured going to school after Monmouthshire County Council failed to activate a pedestrian crossing outside the newly opened Llanfoist School in time for the new term.

For almost a month into the new school term the lights remained switched off on the main road opposite Llanfoist School's entrance until Tuesday afternoon.

Robert Blanchard from Llanfoist has two sons aged 10 and seven and a four-year-old girl who attend there.

He says it was lucky that no one was seriously hurt, "I have three children who go to the school. The school stresses about the importance of safety and it was open for three weeks with the crossing on Gypsy Lane not even switched on.

"It was there but no lights were working and it was wrapped in a red material saying 'out of use'. There was a lot of money spent on the school and it amazes me as to why the lights couldn't even be switched on."

Mr Blanchard says he was concerned that children were risking their lives running across the road - and may be forced into bad habits.

"Because the lights were not working the children were going all directions across the road. This week the school is having their full quota of children - around 110 more - and it would have been even more dangerous for them with no crossing.

"There could have been a dead child, the crossing is essential there, obviously for the children and parents but also because the road has two blind spots on the brow of the hill and it's pure luck crossing without knowing if there is any oncoming traffic or not."

Jane Davidson, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning,approved the proposal made by Monmouthshire Local Education Authority to build the new school off Gypsy Lane in Llanfoist. It was officially opened earlier this year and has been constructed to accommodate 210 pupils in a contract worth £3million.

Mr Blanchard says other parents expressed their concern at the idle pedestrian crossing.

"It's a serious matter, there has been such a big emphasis about safety and I haven't seen any school warning signs."

He said he wanted to make people aware of the situation, including parents and motorists who may drive past Gypsy Lane.

"I wanted to bring attention to it in case there was an accident because there would have been sooner or later, I also think it's encouraging bad habits in the children - there's not even a school slow sign for motorists, they have the zig zag lines but that's it," he added.

A spokeswoman from Monmouthshire County Council said, " We received a letter from Mr Blanchard and replied informing him that the works would be completed shortly.

"Monmouthshire County Council have always had plans to have traffic calming secured around the school but there was a slight delay because we had to consult with the local community. However, the lights were switched on Tuesday afternoon and the signs are being put up within the next few days. There is also plans for a new footpath which will link through Merthyr Road and Llanfoist."