Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe, second from left, has thrown her support behind St Mary’s mums Nata, Vivien and Donna in their quest to have the school crossing upgraded.55042
By Russell Bennett
MOUNT Evelyn parents fear for the safety of their children if a local school crossing isn’t upgraded.
Mums and dads of St Mary’s Primary School students want flashing speed signs installed on the Clegg Road crossing, just outside the entry to the school.
Vivien Lacey-Drieberg said Clegg Road was a thoroughfare from Canterbury Road to the Warburton Highway.
“Lights would mean we don’t have to worry about our kids crossing the road,” she said.
“It’s great to have the crossing and it’s a big improvement (from what we had before), but it’s not finished yet.
“When it first got up and running we thought we’d be getting the whole package.”
The crossing was installed in July this year with Yarra Ranges Council footing the $22,000 bill.
Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe has thrown her support behind St Mary’s parents and hopes the State Government pledges funding to upgrade the crossing.
“St Mary’s primary is on a heavily treed bend along Clegg Road where visibility is poor for motorists who are doing in excess of the 40 km/h legal limit,” she said.
“It was assumed by some parents that the flashing lights would be installed automatically as part of the construction of the crossing.
“Unfortunately this was not the case, which left many disappointed.”
St Mary’s principal Lynne O’Meara said she was “thrilled to have a crossing after so many years without one” but was hopeful it would be upgraded.
“We’re hoping for a positive outcome,” she said.
“We definitely need the flashing lights as a safety measure to warn motorists that there’s a crossing and they need to slow down because cars fly over that hill.
“Hopefully the government sees the need for them as well because you can’t put a cost on safety and the lives of our kids.”
The Mail contacted the State Government but did not receive a response by the time of going to press.
