'Now you can fix OUR schools' Pressure mounts for work to begin on two new comprehensives for Vale.

Byline: Peter Collins

PRESSURE is mounting for work to begin on two new comprehensive schools for the Vale of Glamorgan.

The calls for work to start on the schools in Penarth and Llantwit Major were made after the go-ahead was given for a multimillion- pound redevelopment of Cowbridge Comprehensive School.

Initially, it had planned that all three would be completed by 2012.

The pounds 16.5m first phase of the Cowbridge scheme will begin immediately, with an estimated completion date of September 2010.

In the meantime, the Vale council will continue to identify further funding of pounds 5m to allow completion of the whole development.

The new school is part of the council's school investment strategy, which aims to ensure that all schools in the Vale are "fit for purpose" in line with Welsh Assembly Government standards.

The strategy says that more than pounds 85m is needed for the scheme - and identifies a shortfall of pounds 44m.

The strategy sets out plans to rebuild or redevelop the comprehensive schools at Cowbridge, St Cyres in Penarth and Llantwit Major.

Now that work has started in Cowbridge, residents in the other towns are starting to press for a start towork on their planned new schools.

The original strategy envisaged work on all three being completed by 2012.

However, the credit crunch and the economic downturn has put added pressure on the council's finances, making completion by 2012 unlikely.

Llantwit Major councillor Gwyn John said: "The development seems to be a long way off.

"In Llantwit Major a lot of money has been spent on repairs.

"Really it is wasted money, while we are waiting for a new school to be built. I'm sure it is the same in Penarth."

Council leader Gordon Kemp said progress on the other schools would depend on funding, which was being assessed by the Welsh Assembly Government. "When the funding agreement is confirmed, we will then consider the implications on the timetable."

Councillor Tony Hampton, the council'scabinet member for education and lifelong learning, said: "Our pupils and teachers deserve the best and that is what we intend to deliver through this exciting project."

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Sport, science, drama and technology will all benefit

THE new build at Cowbridge will include:

An indoor, four-court sports hall and changing rooms;

gym facilities which can also be used for keep fit, dance, etc;

a main hall for assemblies, school productions and presentation evenings;

music and rehearsal rooms;

a drama studio;

assisted learning, design and food technology facilities;

science, humanities and English classrooms;

staff room and management suite, and

space for tutorials and individual learning.

CAPTION(S):

ACTION CALL: Left, St Cyres, Penarth. Above, Llantwit Major Comprehensive MAIN PICTURE: Rob Norman Y; MASSIVE REVAMP: Cowbridge Comprehensive School is in line for a wide range of new facilities