A SECOND attempt will be made this week to ask for a public inquiry into the fate of a footpath through a school after a legal slip-up by Plymouth City Council.

Last year the council's planning committee asked the Secretary of State to hold an inquiry over an order to abolish the public right of way which runs through the grounds of Ridgeway School, Plympton.

The school says the footpath, known locally as Geasons Lane, is a major source of anti-social behaviour.

The decision was thwarted when it emerged that the plan did not contain required information about alternative routes for people who use the footpath.

The planning committee, which meets this Thursday, will be told that a revised plan has been drawn up and has been out for public consultation.

The new plan shows in detail the journeys taken by local people who want the footpath to stay and the alternative routes they could use.

In October the school told the planning committee of a number of incidents which were reported to police.

These included a man seen hanging around school taking photos of children; a gang of about 12 youths caught throwing fireworks in the area behind the sports hall; and a motorcycle pushed up the lane and set on fire, damaging the sports hall.

Councillors were also told of numerous incidents of actual violence against staff and children.

Several letters have been written to the council in favour of keeping the path.

John Emery of Plymouth Local Access Forum, said he wished to "preserve public rights of way for future generations".

An inquiry will cost £10,000 to £12,000, to be split between the school and the council.

Meanwhile, the school has submitted a planning application for a perimeter fence, as reported in The Herald yesterday.

Its security consultants said the perimeter fencing would be the second phase of work to improve school security if the footpath was closed.