A Statement Following The Inquest Into The Death Of Ashley Talbot

Maesteg Comprehensive has always been a strong, close-knit community, and Bridgend County Borough Council is continuing to support pupils, teachers, staff and governors at the school in the wake of the accident in which Ashley Talbot died. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Since the accident occurred in 2014, the council has worked closely with Maesteg Comprehensive, PFI company Amber Infrastructure and site management company Engie to introduce an extensive range of improvements at the school. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

These include an improved drop-off area for buses within the school grounds, an all-new drop-off area outside the school grounds, a ban on traffic entering and leaving the school grounds between 2.55pm – 3.15pm or until all buses have left, improved highway visibility and new signage, speed limits and general road safety improvements both within and outside the school. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Since the accident, the council has carried out a safety assessment of all schools within the county borough. Advice and guidance have been issued, and a programme of works has been identified which includes measures such as improved signage and the repainting of zig-zag lines. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The well-being of local children remains a top priority, and the council and its partners will continue to monitor road safety and take appropriate action wherever necessary. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Our thoughts remain with Ashley’s family, friends and anyone who may have been affected by this tragic accident. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​