Schools take on safety trial

A NARRE Warren South school is set to trial a pedestrian safety initiative.
New school zone pavement markings will be installed outside Narre Warren South P-12 College in coming weeks and the safety measure has been welcomed by the school’s principal Ross Miller.
Mr Miller said the school’s 1800 students and close to 200 staff would greatly benefit.
“Parking is very busy along Amberley Park Drive and Ormond Road and in the mornings and afternoons there is a lot of people traffic.
“There have been no serious issues but anything that can calm and slow things down or any strategy that may help save a life is very worthwhile,” Mr Miller said.
Coral Park Primary School in Hampton Park will also benefit from the new trial following complaints about the notorious roads around the school.
Two treatment pads labelled “school zone” will be installed outside both schools after Casey Council voted for them at last Tuesday’s meeting.
A report will come back to the council nine months after installation to determine the success of the safety measures and whether they should be implemented at another 10 Casey schools identified in a council report as being viable for the treatment pads.
Springfield Ward councillor Michael Farley said the area around the Narre Warren South school was dangerous for children walking across streets.
He said he had received many complaints from parents and crossing supervisors.
The treatment pads were designed for situations where the roads around the school are high-volume and high-speed, have speed-related issues, high pedestrian numbers and parking issues and issues of safety around the school.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith said Coral Park Primary School was the best option for the trial.
“Coral Drive is an unusual road. It is curved all the way around so you can’t see what’s around the corner,” Cr Smith said.
“I’m surprised they haven’t had deaths and injuries there.”
Cr Paul Richardson said he was happy for the council’s money to be spent on the school zones as it would save children’s and pedestrians’ lives.
The proposed treatment pads lie flat across the road, measure six metres by eight, are deep red with a yellow border and white lettering and provide a high-grip surface.
The pads are expected to cost $5000 per installation, although that figure would most likely be less for the trial installations.