THE Liberal Democrat spokesman for West Devon and Torridge this week said his party would fight to make sure rural schools remained open. Adam Symons' message was in response to the Countryside Alliance report that indicated 219 schools with fewer than 100 pupils, many of which are in rural areas, have shut since 1997. The report indicated that rural school closures continue to cause problems for parents and children in rural areas, with only 71% of rural households within 15 minutes of a primary school. It follows Devon County Council's announcement that councillors were considering allocating almost £235 million on improving and replacing schools and facilities for children, young people and families in Devon. Mr Symons said, 'Devon County Council is doing an amazing job in directing what little resources they get from the Government into schooling. 'In an area like Torridge and West Devon, where most places are rural, we need to keep lobbying the Government to ensure that we have the money to keep rural schools open. Many are the lifeblood of our communities.'
