McLeish calls for urgent crossing upgrade Kinglake West Primary School

The school crossing outside Kinglake West Primary School needs to be made safer for students and the school community.

Speaking in parliament, State Liberal Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish raised awareness of the dangers surrounding the school crossing on Whittlesea-Kinglake Road, outside Kinglake West Primary School.

Ms McLeish said, “I called on the Minister to action urgent safety installations at the school crossing.”

“The small improvements that are needed are quick and affordable to complete. Barriers need to be installed to prevent students from running onto the road and the crossing lines need to be redrawn as they have faded and are difficult for drivers to see.”

There has been strong advocacy for quite some time from the Kinglake West Primary School community to make improvements to make it safer for students, family and staff crossing the road.

Ms McLeish continues, “The crossing needs to be brought up to standard. There have been near misses over the years of students and recently the crossing supervisor was almost hit by a speeding truck.”

The speed limit along Whittlesea-Kinglake Road is 80 kilometres an hour and carries very heavy traffic—cars, buses, motorbikes and trucks. Road conditions often make it difficult for drivers, particularly with the heavy fog the Kinglake Ranges is known for.

“These changes will make a huge positive difference for the school community. Nobody should have to put themselves at risk taking their kids to school or going to work.”

“The Murrindindi Shire Council have undertaken significant work to improve the carpark and flow of traffic which is great, but the crossing also needs to be done to be consistent with the safety improvements to the car park,” Ms McLeish concludes.