THE information booklet for the proposed Darwen Academy states: 'Sport is one of its five themes and that there will be a major emphasis on sport and the participation of all its students in sport related activities.'

It goes on to say the development of new sport facilities at the academy will 'complement those already available in the area and be accessible to the wider community.'

Now we learn that students will have to travel to Blacksnape for those sports needing grass pitches.

Coun Dave Hollings states this joint arrangement provides a better solution.

However, in previous correspondence to him, I asked why the Holden Fold site, which includes its own playing fields, could not be regenerated.

His reply was that it was a cold, windswept site on the edge of town and a horrible walk and added that a secondary school in the town centre was the right approach.

Forgive me for being confused. If the original plan was so good why has it already needed to be changed?

Travelling to the Blacksnape site on the edge of town can be very cold and windy and could also be a horrible walk. To transport pupils by bus would add to the traffic from town and a very busy road junction.

There are still those who are concerned about the school being built in the town centre, so close to the traffic of the main road. I am therefore concerned whether the safety of pupils is of sufficient priority.

PATRICIA COOPER, Waterside Terrace, Waterside, Darwen.