Children walking the route to and from school along a bridleway in Seaton are arriving soaking wet and muddy, angering parents in the village.

Seaton parish councillor Ken Slone has raised the issue of conditions at the Quality Corner bridleway at several council meetings in the past.

He said: “It’s absolutely terrible. Parts of the route are only wide enough for one child and it is overgrown.

“I know one or two kids have slipped coming down there recently and the condition of their clothes after using it is terrible. They are getting soaked and muddy. I don’t think it has been risk-assessed, myself.

“One parent told me she once saw a rat run across there.”

County councillor for Seaton Celia Tibble said that the county was aware of the problems, but as it is a bridleway the solution is not so straightforward.

However, she knew that the countryside officer had been notified about the bridleway and would contact the parish council to suggest a possible joint approach to resolving the issue.

She said: “I am aware that the countryside access officer has contacted the parish council in respect of a possible joint project to resolve this matter and that the county council have agreed that works will be done to address the flooding issues, but a timescale has not yet been set for the work to be completed.

“It is not part of the safe route to schools, but the school has every right to encourage children to walk to school.”

Seaton Junior school responded by saying that two of their year groups were required to use the route as part of keeping the school Covid secure.

Assistant headteacher at Seaton Junior School Mrs McGlasson said: “We have worked hard to make sure our school is Covid secure. As part of this, two of our year groups are required to use the gate near to Ling Beck Park in order to stagger entry.

She sympathised with parents, but suggested an alternative route for the children via Ling Beck Park.

She said: “Whilst we sympathise with parents about the condition of the Quality Corner area and the lane that follows, children can use an alternative route through Ling Beck Park.

“As a school, we would welcome any improvements to the lane but as it is not school property we would be unable to instigate or finance any work required”.