A PRIMARY school cut in two by a main road sounds a ridiculous idea.

But that is the situation staff and pupils have faced at Chorley New Road Primary School in Horwich. Now, common sense is about to prevail.

A £500,000 Government windfall has been granted to address the situation, which should mark the end of a six year battle to unite the school on one site.

For years staff and pupils have had to work in the separate buildings, regularly making the crossing from one side to the other.

Chorley New Road separates the two buildings and it is a testament to staff that they have managed so admirably for such a long time.

Acting headteacher, Mrs Kath Jones, described how top priority among staff and parents, since a meeting in 1995, has been to merge the two sites. As she explained, it will no longer mean having to risk crossing the busy road.

Money will also help renovate old classrooms, and will create a new nursery.

Now, to fully benefit from the grant and its benefits, perhaps the part of the school not being used could also be turned into a useful resource for the community.