Council has been successful in securing $169,000 to improve road safety around four local schools in the Parkes Shire through the School Zone Infrastructure Sub Program.
The School Zone Infrastructure Sub Program has been jointly funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments.
Mayor of Parkes Shire, Councillor Ken Keith OAM said, “this is great news for our community as these works will create safer pedestrian connections for children, their parents/carers and the school community.”
“Children are vulnerable road users. They are at risk in the traffic environment because of their size, their inability to judge speed and distance, as well as the fact that they may behave unpredictably,” Cr Keith added.
The program is focused around improving safety around schools either through capital works upgrades and new installations or retrofitting of existing infrastructure.
Works have already begun, with upgrades at Parkes East Public already complete. This included the installation of a new footpath and ramps on the eastern side of Thornbury Street, from Want St to Orange St. These upgrades are aimed at providing safe off-road connectivity to the school and promoting healthy activity through walking to and from school.
Tullamore will see new signage installed on their existing crossing and installation of a concrete footpath from the school gate to the crossing.
Parkes High School works are partially completed, including the installation of a new pedestrian refuge, re-alignment of existing ramps, updated line marking and updated signage. Future works will include the construction of an additional pram ramp.
Councillor Ken McGrath said, “The current upgrades at Parkes High School have provided a safe refuge for pedestrians to cross Albert Street, allowing children to cross the road in two stages and only have to focus on one direction of traffic each time.”
Parkes Public School works on Bushman Street are partially complete, including updated line marking, updated signage, and the removal of an obstructive tree to increase sight distance. Future works include an additional handrail and concreting of existing medians.
Cr McGrath said, “Cars speeding down Bushman Street are a big issue, particularly when you think about who is using the crossing on this road. Road crashes account for over half of all accidental deaths among children aged 5 – 14 years old.”
The School Zone Infrastructure Sub Program is making it safer for pedestrians on their way to and from school, and when walking within school zones. It is part of the $540 million NSW Federal Road Safety Program.
