St Peter’s College wants pedestrian footbridge over Hackney Rd because of O-Bahn project safety concerns

ONE of Adelaide’s top private schools wants a pedestrian footbridge built for its students to cross over Hackney Rd. Here’s why it wants it — and hopes the government will help pay for it.

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ONE of Adelaide’s top private schools wants a pedestrian footbridge built for its students to cross over Hackney Rd.

St Peter’s College wants the footbridge because of safety concerns associated with the O-Bahn tunnel project.

But the school, one of Adelaide’s oldest and most prestigious, is not willing to stump all of the cost, which would be in the millions of dollars.

St Peter’s College Council of Governors chairman James Harvey said the school was in discussions with the Transport Department about the idea of building a bridge between its Hackney Rd entrance and Botanic Park, but talks had not progressed far.

“We would have a preference to have a footbridge over Hackney Rd because we are concerned we will have boys crossing the road … and it won’t be practicable,” Mr Harvey said.

Artist impression: The State Government’s latest plans for Hackney Rd include two bus lanes in the middle and four lanes of regular traffic.

The State Government’s $160 million O-Bahn City Access Project includes a tunnel for buses between Hackney Rd and Grenfell St but also involves widening Hackney Rd to add two bus lanes to the four lanes of regular traffic.

Drivers going north on Hackney Rd would no longer be able to turn right into St Peter’s College, instead having to do a U-turn further up.

The closest separated pedestrian crossings would be at North Tce near the National Wine Centre and at the River Torrens.

St Peter’s College’s entrance and right-turn lane from Hackney Rd.

Mr Harvey said the risk of boys crossing the road outside the school being injured was “foremost in our thoughts”.

“It would be appalling if something happened on Hackney Rd and it could have been prevented,” he said.

St Peter’s had no money in its budget for a bridge that could cost millions of dollars and the O-Bahn project was not something the school was in favour of.

“It’s for something that’s not of our doing,” Mr Harvey said.

“We’d feel the government, if they’re creating these circumstances, should be coming to the party.”

An artist’s impression of the entry point of the O-Bahn tunnel, looking north on Hackney Rd.

A Transport Department spokesman did not answer questions about who would pay for a possible bridge, instead saying: “We are working with all stakeholders to address pedestrian and cyclist access across Hackney Rd on the O-Bahn project.”

St Peter’s College headmaster Simon Murray said the school was “very concerned about the safety of the whole community crossing Hackney Rd” now and with the implementation of the O-Bahn project.

Hackney Residents Association president Serena Coulls said a bridge over Hackney Rd would be welcomed by local residents who were also concerned about the expected difficulty crossing the road.

“I think it’s a fabulous way to improve safety for students,” Ms Coulls said.

Pulteney Grammar has had a pedestrian bridge over South Tce since 1976 and in the past year Pembroke School and Prince Alfred College have proposed similar structures over The Parade and The Parade West respectively.

The Transport Department has not yet released submissions received in May during consultation on the O-Bahn project.