LANDOWNERS in Darfield may be asked to consider offering land to allow new footpaths to be provided for children walking to and from the proposed Wombwell/Darfield super school.

Last month outline planning for the £35m advanced learning centre to be built on the former Darfield Mai Colliery site was given approval by the council.

Scheduled for completion by 2012 it will replace Wombwell High and Darfield Foulstone. But at a meeting on Friday local councillors said they still had big concerns about traffic speeds and pedestrian access to the school.

After the meeting, Coun Trevor Smith, said: "We have been looking at ways to get children into the school via new footpaths and cycle routes in the Darfield area and we have been given permission to contact landowners about these plans.

"I cannot yet say where these new paths could be built as we would need the landowners permission and until we have spoken to them I do not know if we will get it.

"I can say that we have looked at the different ways in which we expect children to walk to school from Darfield. Some will come down Roundwood Way, others from North and East Street and some through the churchyard and along Church Street and Snape Hill Road. We also hope to refurbish any existing footpaths."

Coun Smith said another important thing to come out of the meeting was the backing of the Wombwell councillors for a new zebra crossing on the corner of Station Road and Stonyford Road.

He said: "I am pleased to have their backing on this, it took us four years to get a crossing outside the post office. I know how difficult it can be.

A footpath and cycle path over Wombwell bypass is included in the plans and a lane has been included on site for cars to drop off children.

A cycle route and footpath on Littlefield Lane is also being discussed.