Closure is for the security of Rutlish School pupils
The footpath between John Innes Park and John Innes Recreation Ground will be closed during school hours for the safety of pupils at Rutlish School.
Following the decision by Merton Council, an alternative path for residents will now be provided – but not for a few months.
It follows a public consultation on closing the footpath whilst the school is open, following a request from the school to make the grounds more secure for its pupils in the light of police recommendations to improve security there.
The council and school will also be jointly funding further security works at the main entrances to Rutlish School.
A total of 1,117 questionnaires were completed as part of the consultation, with the majority (59%) agreeing that the footpath should be closed during school hours. 67% stated that closing the path would cause no inconvenience or very little inconvenience to them.
Rutlish School has two main sites, situated either side of the footpath, which links John Innes Park to John Innes Recreation Ground, and provides a direct pedestrian and cycle route from one to the other.
Partial closure means the footpath will be closed from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, in term time from September.
The restricted access to the footpath will affect people heading to John Innes Park tennis courts, the bowling green and croquet lawn.
Park users can take an alternative route via Watery Lane and Manor Road, but the planned alternative path will provide a shorter route mainly through the existing park.
The council said that due to the legal agreements required for the new path, this will take a few months to be completed.
August 17, 2016