Parents' fear as building site gates left wide open near Rothwell school

Houses are currently being built on the former site of the defunct Rothwell Town FC in Cecil Street.

The site borders Rothwell Junior School and is a minute’s walk from Rothwell Victoria Infants School.

But the Northants Telegraph witnessed the site’s gates left wide open at 3.15pm one day last week - just as pupils are about to leave.

One parent, who did not wish to be named, said he feared children could easily walk in, and that there could be an injury.

He said: “It’s putting our children’s safety at risk.

“I know mine won’t walk in there but I fear for others.

“I spend all day delivering to building sites and they always have gatemen, but this one doesn’t.

“I walked in the other day without hi-vis and got to the other side of the site, and I’m 6ft tall.

“The children are only 3ft and might not be spotted.

“All it takes is one child to go in to have a look at a digger, but if that digger spins round they aren’t getting back up again.”

Another parent said: “The gates should be shut at all times, let alone when kids are being picked up.

“It’s putting children in danger.

“All it would take is one child to go in and I dread to think what would happen.”

Rothwell Junior School’s executive headteacher Lee Hurling said he will ask the site contractors, Galliford Try, to close the gates.

He said: “We are in regular contact with the site manager and he has helpfully addressed a number of issues raised during the current construction period.

“We will contact him directly and ask that the site entrance be closed while the children are leaving school.”

The Northants Telegraph has contacted Galliford Try for a comment.