GRAMMAR school pupils will have have their own crossing after council bosses won £350,000 in back payments from the Swan Theatre.

More than 900 pupils at Sir William Borlase's Grammar School in Marlow are forced to walk into the town centre if they want to cross busy West Street at an official crossing.

The news has delighted some local residents who have long been campaigning for the crossing, which will cost £60,000.

Bill Purdie, a neighbour to the school, said: "This is marvellous news, it's made my day. It worries me to death when I go past there, part of the pavement is only two slabs thick."

The windfall payment will also be used to refurbish the Rye play area in High Wycombe.

The new funding came about as a result of a rate rebate following a revaluation of The Swan Theatre in High Wycombe and will mean a range of community improvements.

The Rye Environment Centre will also benefit £54,000 spread over three years.

£10,000 will be available to assist with the conversion of the cricket square to an all weather bowling green at Hazlemere and £25,000 spent on Bowerdean, Baring Road and Rennie Close play areas under the proposals.

£31,000 would be set aside to help pay for improvements to IT facilities and software for councillors in order to reduce paperwork and improve communications.

Commenting on the windfall refund, Wycombe District Council Leader Roger Colomb, said: "We can do a lot of good across the whole district with this money and have taken account of local feedback to identify the priority areas.

"The Rye Environment Centre will get the start up funds it needs for the next three years and will run without subsidy after that."

February 14, 2002 13:39