A SCHOOL reopened its car park gates to parents last week - but may have to take out a loan of thousands as part of a bid to resurface its problematic access road.

Khalsa Primary School in Wexham Road, Slough, had controversially closed the car park on July 11 after headteacher, Raminder Vig, was warned that the potholed road was technically illegal.

The school received planning permission three years ago to resurface the road but costs proved high, with a figure at the time of £190,000. With planning permission about to expire, it must move fast and believes the cost could now be around £220,000.

Mr Vig said the school's governing body had decided to push ahead with work on the road so it can be done during the summer holidays and currently the school has around £165,000 following further donations. He said as Khalsa was a faith school, its trustees could take out an extension on a loan to cover any shortfall in the cost. The school has been steadily paying off its original £1 million loan since launching 10 years ago.

He said the school would go to tender in a week's time through Slough Borough Council in the hope a contractor could start work by early August.

Mr Vig added: "It is only when the bids are unsealed that we will have an accurate cost and see the best bid."

The road is also near to a number of delicate trees with preservation orders and alarm bells started ringing when a tree narrowly missed a car in November during storms. The work would have to take the trees into consideration.

As reported last week, parents, councillors and Slough MP Tan Dhesi had pleaded with Mr Vig to reopen the car park amid claims it was unfair.