AS CHILDREN returned to a Cardigan junior school on Monday after the half-term holiday, parents, teachers and governors welcomed new road regulations they hoped would end grave concern for the safety of the youngsters.

Problems in the vicinity of Ysgol Gynradd Aberteifi have existed for many years and there have been countless incidents and reports of children within a whisker of being run over.

Following extensive representations to various authorities, the Welsh Government approved the Local Transport Fund in respect of active travel improvements for the financial year 2016-17.

It involved the introduction of a one-way traffic system in Williams Terrace where the road was narrowed, the pavement on the school side widened to prevent illegal parking, a 20mph zone introduced outside the school and extended into Napier Street, through Napier Gardens and Maesyrhaf to Maeshenffordd.

The Welsh Government provided funding of £109,575 which, with additional match funding contributions of £6,675 from Ceredigion County Council and £5,000 from the town council, provided a total of £121,250 for a scheme to improve safety.

Improvements are set to be completed within the next few weeks but the major part of the scheme was put into operation on Friday.

As parents took their children to school on Monday they welcomed the new layout as likely to play a huge part in improved safety.

Parent Sue Jones said: “This has been a long time coming and I welcome it with open arms.”

Her friend June said: “We have all been so concerned as it is nothing short of a miracle that there has not been a tragedy outside the school.”

Chairman of the school governors and Ceredigion County Councillor John Adams-Lewis congratulated the contractors on the “excellent work carried out in double quick time”.

Speaking exclusively to the Tivy-Side, he said: “It is great news and we now appeal to parents to park in the marked bays provided to avoid unnecessary congestion and danger to pupils.

“I am absolutely over the moon and look forward to the completion of the entire scheme,” he said.