THE political members of the Department of Education and Children (DEC) have visited the site of the secondary school being built at Bemahague, Onchan.

The new £33.8 million St Ninian's Lower School, which opens in September 2012, will house 700 pupils in Years 7 to 9 (Key Stage 3).

Peter Karran MHK, Minister for Education and Children, and department members Zac Hall MHK and John Houghton MHK were shown round the site yesterday by Stuart Dobson, Chief Executive Officer and Richard Collister, the DEC's Estates Director.

Mr Collister told them that with four months remaining until the contract completion in early July work was continuing apace and was on schedule and within budget.

He said: "The focus remains on the internal fit-out, with continuing mechanical and electrical installations, joinery work, finishes and furniture/equipment installations.

"Externally, work continues on the soft landscaping and hard paving areas around the school.

"The department anticipates taking possession of the all-weather pitch and tennis court area in early March, which will then allow early use of these facilities prior to the opening of the school."

Parts of the building will be progressively released to the department from April onwards which will enable the school to transfer resources from the existing Park Road and St Ninian's High Schools, with 'loose furniture' and equipment installation and staff inductions continuing through to the summer.

Meanwhile, the new footbridge linking the Governor's Hill estate with the new school will be open to the public shortly.

The 22-metre-high bridge will provide safe pedestrian access over the busy A18 TT course at Hailwood Avenue corner.