Opposition to plans to build a bridge at Berkeley Road for primary school students has forced Government to go back to the drawing board.

The Royal Gazette has learned that Works and Engineering have withdrawn a plan to build a bridge from Northlands Secondary to the field across the street.

The bridge was to be built by next September when the school is scheduled to become Dellwood Primary school.

It would have allowed primary school students to walk from the school to the field across the street without encountering traffic on Berkeley Road.

But Dellwood parents, Planning officers, and at least one Berkeley Road resident have objected to the plan.

Dellwood parents have argued that the high school, which was condemned as a primary school in the 1960s and deemed worth closing by Government consultants, was dangerous for primary school students.

And Assistant Planning Director Aideen Ratteray-Pryse, in a letter dated September 10, 1996, told Works and Engineering: "I must advise you that technical officers do not support the proposal (for a bridge).

"In our opinionm alternatives which are less visually obtrusive are available to resolve the pedestrian crossing problem.'' Helen L. Peets Alban -- who lives directly opposite Northlands and shares a boundary with the school field -- also objected to the bridge, explaining that she believed the 30-foot-high construction would "cut off light, breeze, and what little view'' she enjoyed.

Mrs. Peets Alban also said the bridge would be an eyesore and would devalue her property.

She suggested that Government should hire a crossing guard, or install amber warning lights near Elroy's Laundromat and the Pie Factory to warn motorists of children in the area, or build a tunnel which would show "no large above ground construction and be designed to be locked off at the end of each day''.

When contacted last night Mrs. Peets Alban said: "I feel happy that it is withdrawn.

"I still think they should go with the warning lights to let motorists know they are approaching a light, and have a main light at the gate of the school.'' But Works and Engineering Minister Leonard Gibbons said: "I'm not crazy about warning lights. People don't obey them.'' He said Government was trying to design a level crossing with barriers to allow access across the road in a safer manner for the youngsters. While the design was still at the conceptual stage, he explained it will probably have a barrier similar to the one used at railway crossings.

But Mrs. Peets Alban said she saw no reason why Government could not hire someone who wanted to work part-time, such as a senior citizen, as a crossing guard for the school.

"To put construction there and maintain it will cost a lot of money,'' she noted. "And I'm not sure how they will build it. Because children tend to throw things in the street and they may hit a passing motorist.''