Proposal to build bridge over school prompts safety fears

It is a peaceful outdoor area behind a school where pupils can climb trees, toast marshmallows and take part in forest school activities.

But parents are worried that the space could be left in darkness and overlooked by passers-by, if a bridge is built over the top of it.

Ysgol Plascrug in Aberystwyth raised about £50,000 in grants to turn the muddy patch into a garden for pupils, with one mum describing how her daughter was in tears after learning of the proposal.

Ceredigion council is looking at three options for a replacement bridge linking areas of the town, with one of these stretching directly over the garden. It urged anyone with concerns to respond to a consultation.

The local authority is looking at options to replace the current bridge, which goes over railway tracks and links local schools and leisure facilities, after a storm in 2021 left it partly destroyed with parts being held up by scaffolding.

Its replacement must meet modern design standards and be able to handle an expected increase in numbers walking or cycling, a planning document says.

The council said surrounding developments provide challenges, but it has come up with three designs - each with its benefits and drawbacks, it says.

These are - rebuilding in the same place, or building a new bridge, either going around three sides of the school with the loss of some of the grounds, or right through the middle.

"It's unthinkable to me," said parent Hazel Hopkins.

"There are lots of concerns, obviously I can't understand at all why someone would think it's a good idea to put a bridge over a school."

She believes it would make a green playing space feel like an underpass.

Her family use the current bridge up to 60 times a week between them, and she is also concerned people will be reluctant to use a new structure over the school, especially at night.

Part of the plan would see 2m (6ft 5in) screens put on the sides to stop people looking down on the school, and she added: "It will feel like you're in a tunnel in the sky."

The issue has left many parents angry.

"Building a bridge over school grounds, it's purely unacceptable from a safety and wellbeing of the children perspective, plus there is a lack of any UK precedent for such an approach," said Dr Rick Ellis.

"So why should this set a precedent? I'm annoyed a council has even got to the stage of public consultation."

Rick, who has two children, aged four and eight, at the school believes "so many aspects are unfathomable".

While he said it may be more challenging to put a bigger bridge in line with active travel requirements in its current location, he added: "Options B and C [over the school] may be easier, but with significant long-term pain."

"Currently, the space looks so beautiful, and there is so much going on in it," said Hannah Lee.

"Forest school sessions – both after school and as part of the curriculum, Year 6 have been growing World War Two-inspired veg to support their learning, a local church uses the outdoor space monthly for their work.

"To imagine that trying to survive underneath what will be a sizable bridge just doesn't bear thinking about."

Hannah, who is on the school PTA, said "everyone is devastated, hugely concerned", including her sons Arthur, five, and George, three.

She added: "I took my children over to see the proposals and my daughter (Lydia, seven) left in tears, saying 'they can't do that to my play space, the trees I climb on'."

The school won a Keep Wales Tidy award, which stated the community garden had "united people from all walks of life".

Ysgol Plascrug also won Primary School PTA of the Year at the UK-wide Parent Kind awards, with the garden a key element of the success.

Local MS Elin Jones opened the area in June 2025, and said: "I've no doubt that Plascrug School needs its outdoor play area protected in full.

"It is already very limited.

"As such, I've no doubt that the railway bridge replacement should be on the current site, and not on a new site, which would considerably reduce the school's outdoor space. "

Ceredigion Preseli MP Ben Lake said: "Teachers, parents, and pupils of Ysgol Plascrug are understandably concerned that one of the options included in the consultation would see the new footbridge span their grounds and outdoor playing area.

"I am firmly of the opinion that the footbridge should instead be redeveloped on the footprint of the existing one, which would not only avert any disruption to the school but also command widespread support from the broader community.

"I shall be reiterating this opinion to the council through this consultation, and would urge all local residents to do likewise."

Ceredigion council said it had held meetings and a public consultation event, where many views were expressed.

"If parents or other stakeholders have concerns regarding some of the options being proposed then they are encouraged to respond to the consultation highlighting those concerns," a spokesperson added.

The consultation runs until 25 February, with 3D models of the designs available to view online.