'No concerns for safety'- says headmaster

THE Principal of Termoncanice Primary School has asked parents not to worry after trees surrounding it's playground were removed last week.

Seamus Coyle, headmaster of the large Limavady primary says special screening and new hedging will be added to the area where the 30 by 15 foot trees hovered. Mr Coyle sent out the message after a complaint from a parent who contacted the Sentinel expressing worries that the departure of the trees "left the playground and children open to the wrong sort of people".

The primary school brought in contractors to remove the Leylandii trees because of a risk of them falling. Mr Coyle added that the maintainence of trees "outweighed their benefits" and the decision was taking to have them removed.

"There were a number of issues that had an influence on the school's decision to replace the trees. Replace is the operative word here because we are having green screens placed around the security fence to act as a wind break as well as a screen. There will also be hedging placed in the future."

Mr Coyle added: "These trees are 30 foot high by 15 foot wide. Previously we have had a number of local residents in the area complaining about the trees blocking light. The cost of maintaining them was also very high.

"The risk of the trees falling and damaging the pavement was a big factor as well. The Leylandii tree has a root that sprouts side ways which heightened the possibility of them falling."

"I would ask parents not to worry. As I have said there will be a screen put in place of the trees plus the school will be planting hedging in their place. There are many schools here that have their playgrounds very much open to the road. I think it will just take time to get used to their absence."

A concerned parent had contacted the Sentinel regarding the trees removal with worries that it left children playing on the school grounds "exposed".

"Their removal has taken all privacy away from the school and the children. All that's left now is a see through security fence and goodness knows what kind of people this could attract."

The parent continued: "I think it's ridiculous and I am very annoyed that the trees were completely removed. Even cutting just the tops off would have given a bit more privacy. A lot of parents are worried about this and I know that some have contacted the school."

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