I AM responding as Chair of Governors at Tavistock Community College to Alison Lynch (Letters, March 24), who expressed concerns about child safety to and from schools in Tavistock. We have 1,860 students about 1,550 families, most of them in Tavistock itself, and safety is a core issue for us at the college, although our responsibility does not begin legally until students are in school. Alison and all other parents can be re-assured that there is a co-ordinated College Travel Plan; that the college is a statutory consultee for local planning matters; and we do actively input to safe routes to schools in all parts of Tavistock. Our ideas are taken up by Devon County Council Highways and Education. The very point Alison makes about safer crossings has been addressed recently. Three new TOUCAN crossings have been installed in Dolvin Road, at the Post Office and at MacDonald?s. These have sensors which will hold the lights at red for as long as it takes anyone, such as young schoolchildren, the elderly or disabled or cyclists to cross. There is no need to feel harassed at these crossings. Two pedestrian crossings in Plymouth Road were re-positioned last year as well. Foot access to and through the Meadows has been made safer and easier, connecting to the college via the county council?s underpass under the A386, opened about two years ago. Cycle-routes/pathways to the college are being improved further this year, with the SUSTRANS National Cycle Route being extended around the college and over the river by Safeways with a new bridge. This will connect via the improved MacDonald?s crossing to Bishopsmead/Whitchurch and the planned residential development. Devon County have granted the college about £14,000 to increase bike-shed capacity. Footpaths are currently being installed along Crowndale Road, to make access to the college safe for parents and students. Parking in Crowndale Road will shortly be stopped by a clearway, reducing congestion and chance of accidents considerably. As to the proposed Manor development at the north end of Tavistock, I have had discussions with Highways to confirm that safe walking routes to the college are built into any developer?s plans, particularly to address the Springhill/West Street junction, potentially dangerous for children crossing. I hope this work with Devon County Council goes some way to re-assure Alison and other parents of school-age children, and demonstrates that these planned developments can benefit everyone in our community. Alex Wood Chair of Governors Tavistock Community College