Bucklesham children walking in road to avoid hemlock

The pathway leading to Bucklesham Primary has become so wild that in places, children are having to walk in the road to get to school. 

Hemlock has been known to grow along the footpath. It can easily be mistaken for cow parsley but is in fact poisonous to humans and animals.

Gemma Marriage is both a parish councillor and a parent, with her son having started at the school in September.

Cllr Marriage explained that the parish council has been campaigning for the Highways team at Suffolk County Council to come out to maintain the overgrowth, but so far, assistance has not been forthcoming.

The county council has said that the overgrowth will be cut back as soon as possible, but that the plant has not yet been confirmed as hemlock.

In places, the path has become completely overgrown. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)Hemlock can easily be mistaken for cow parsley, but is poisonous to people and animals. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

All parts of hemlock are toxic if consumed. It can also cause a painful rash if touched, especially if the person then makes contact with their eyes.

This was also an issue last summer, when the road was closed for the plant to be removed.

“There are parts where the children have to step into the road to avoid it,” said Cllr Marriage.

This is particularly worrying as this week is Walk to School week, with children being encouraged to walk to school where possible.

Gemma Marriage with her son, Stanley. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)Cllr Marriage steering her son, Stanley, away from the overhanging hemlock. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)The overgrown path leads to Bucklesham Primary School. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Rachael Rudge is headteacher at Bucklesham Primary School.

“Walking to school is important for our children's physical and mental health, as well as for the environment, and yet the children are having to put themselves in danger by walking on the road because the path is overgrown with nettles, hemlock and weeds,” said Miss Rudge. 

“It shouldn't be a surprise to the Highways Department that the verges need trimming at this time of the year, every year, especially with the wet and warm weather recently. 

“It would be nice to see a more proactive approach from the county council to this annual problem in future years, and a swifter response to the many reports on their website about the issue.”

Suffolk County Council has been contacted for comment.