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As an ex-teacher who spent thirty years working for Warwickshire County Council, I feel I must raise an objection to the proposal to build a traveller's site on Harbury Lane. The traffic on Harbury Lane is at its heaviest at just those times when children are leaving for school and returning, and this must be a major concern for those making this decision. Also, to put children in a situation where their home and playing area is adjacent to the Fosse Way junction with Harbury Lane cannot be said to be in their best interests.

The main reason for my objection is that the local schools have no means of absorbing this increase in roll, which would mean that the children would almost undoubtedly face long journeys to schools outside the immediate area. As a teacher, I am convinced that it is important for children to be kept within their peer groups where possible, and to split these students up through putting them in this situation only adds to the problems they already face. It would be far better to place the traveller's site nearer to those local amenities which could service their undoubted needs.

I taught traveller's children during my career and made friends with traveller families as a result. Their needs and those of their children are ill-served if we plant them out in the middle of nowhere beside a dangerously busy road. I beg those responsible to take account of this and help the traveller families to find a suitable safe home.