Plans by DTMR to install new signalised crossing on Sheridan St after school student hit by car

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is planning to put a new safety measure in place after a student was hit by a car near Cairns High School.

A Cairns State High School student was hit by a car on Sheridan St between Gatton St and Grove St, a section of road that lies immediately west of the school. Picture: Google Maps

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is planning on installing a pedestrian crossing with signals near Cairns State High School after a student was hit by a car on Thursday.

Police are investigating the incident that occurred at about 3.20pm, inside standard school zone hours, on August 31.

A 16-year-old girl was crossing the road when she was struck by a Ford Mondeo.

The Cairns State High School student was hit on a section of Sheridan St between Gatton St and Grove St, near the school’s western perimeter.

The 16-year-old was flown to Townsville Hospital after the incident, where she remained in a critical but stable condition as of Wednesday.

The section of Sheridan St where she was hit is not designated as a school zone and has a speed limit of 60km/h.

The 16-year-old Cairns State High School student was flown to Townsville Hospital where she remains in a critical condition. Picture: Brendan Radke

A spokesman for DTMR did not say whether or not the department was considering designating the section of Sheridan St near Cairns State High School as a new school zone after Thursday’s incident.

But the spokesman said a signalised pedestrian crossing had been proposed.

“Our thoughts are with the student injured in a crash on Sheridan St last Thursday,” he said.

“Transport and Main Roads is investigating the circumstances of the crash in consultation with Queensland Police Service.

“Master planning for the Captain Cook Hwy Upgrade between Cairns CBD and Smithfield proposes to install a signalised pedestrian crossing on Sheridan St between Upward St and Grove St.

“The proposed crossing would be installed near the current pedestrian refuge, located adjacent to Gatton St.

“We will continue to engage with Cairns State High School as part of the master planning for the Captain Cook Hwy, Cairns CBD to Smithfield, Upgrade.”

Cairns State High School executive principal Christopher Zilm declined to comment on the matter.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Education did not say whether or not the Department would pressure DTMR to install a school zone in the relevant area of Sheridan St.

“Cairns State High School is actively engaging with DTMR as part of that department’s master planning for the Captain Cook Hwy, Cairns CBD to Smithfield, upgrade to improve pedestrian safety,” the spokeswoman said.

“The Department of Education will continue to work with DTMR, local councils and relevant stakeholders to ensure there is a co-ordinated approach to road safety around all our state schools, including Cairns State High School.”

Cairns Regional Council has previously advocated for the removal of a school zone currently in place on Sheridan St near the Mother of Good Counsel School in Cairns North, between Airport Ave and O’Keefe St.

The council previously said the school zone “slowed traffic” and was “not warranted”.

A spokesman for the council did not say if the council was reconsidering its position after Thursday’s incident and said the council would not comment on the matter as it was subject to a police investigation.

Division 5 councillor Amy Eden also declined to comment on whether the imposition of a school zone was an appropriate consideration.

“My thoughts are with all those impacted and I wish the young woman a full and speedy recovery,” Ms Eden said.

Originally published as Plans by DTMR to install new signalised crossing on Sheridan St after school student hit by car