Keeping an eye on the roads (From Barry And District News)

Keeping an eye on the roads

A BARRY schoolboy may not study road works as part of the national curriculum but it's a subject close to his heart.

Murch Junior School pupil Daniel Weeks, 11, of Lundy Park, has enjoyed a fact-finding day out with the Vale of Glamorgan Council's highways maintenance division.

His keen interest in this area of work prompted a letter to the Vale regarding the condition of Barry Road which has recently undergone resurfacing - at a cost of £36,000 - as part of the Council's ongoing programme of works.

And, responding to these concerns, the Council's operational manager (highway) maintenance Keith Jones invited Daniel to enjoy an insight into the work of the division.

Keith said: "We were very impressed that Daniel should take such an interest in this area of our work and decided that it would be nice to show him exactly what we were involved in and, really, what it's all about. He added: "Daniel thoroughly enjoyed his visit and the best part, of course, was, going out on site and seeing the work being carried out first hand."

As well as viewing resurfacing works at the Barry Docks Link Road and Cowbridge, Daniel spent time at the division's HQ at The Alps, Wenvoe. During his itinerary, Daniel viewed the Council's GIS mapping system and its fleet of vehicles, including new gritters and salters, and visited the sign shop.

Keith said: "After Daniel contacted us, I told him that, although there had been limited funds for highways surfacing works in the past, the Council was addressing the situation by spending an additional £580,000 in the current year and this was in addition to an extra £850,000 from the Welsh Assembly for similar works.

"A large section of Barry Road has, of course, now been resurfaced and we would like to thank local residents for their co-operation which ensured the works were completed with the minimum of disruption."