Residents call for relocation of bus stop outside high school
A group of Brisbane residents is calling for the relocation of a bus stop outside a high school because of concerns for the safety of students and residents.
North
Don't miss out on the headlines from North. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A GROUP of Brisbane residents is calling for the relocation of a bus stop outside a local high school because of concerns for the safety of students and residents.
The group wants the White St bus stop outside Wavell State High School to be relocated to the southern side of Edinburgh Castle Rd opposite the school.
Spokesman Don Sfiligoj said White St was designed for local traffic not buses, and schoolchildren “are putting their lives at risk trying to cross the road”.
“There are a number of school buses that drop students off and pick them up from White St near Telopia Ave,” Mr Sfiligoj said.
“At the same time there are a lot of parents dropping off and picking their children up from school. Also a large number of students walk to school and need to cross White St.
“Heavy vehicles also use White St as a rat run. This all happens at the same time.
“Often there are buses parked on one side of the road, parents on the other and traffic, from both directions, trying to drive down the street. Visibility of traffic is very poor at these times.
“Just last week there were eight coaches parked in White St from 7.30am to 9.30am virtually blocking the street at times.”
Mr Sfiligoj said the situation had worsened over the last few years as the school’s enrolment numbers have grown.
The White St & Telopia Ave Bus Relocation Community Safety Action Group has proposed the school bus stop be relocated to existing facilities on Edinburgh Castle Rd.
“There is enough room for at least half a dozen buses at the same time,” Mr Sfiligoj said.
“Proper bus shelters could be built providing shelter from the sun and rain for the students. The lighting is also much better than that on White St for those coaches which arrive at night to drop the students off from various sporting events.
“An overpass would need to be built. The State Government has the School Transport Infrastructure Program which can be used for purposes such as these. Up to $500,000 is available. As part of the program the State Government asks Council to match the funding dollar for a dollar.”
MORE NORTH BRISBANE NEWS:
Fish deaths in Dowse Lagoon may be due to ‘natural occurrence’
Racing Queensland takes next step in racecourse development plan
Brisbane’s first ‘jump out’ ramp aims to protect kangaroos and drivers
Couple offers old-fashioned service at the pump
According to Council, the White St bus stop has been there for more than 20 years.
A letter to the group dated November last year stated Council officers undertook site visits in September to observe traffic conditions during morning and afternoon peak periods.
During those visits they noted buses entering the street in a staggered arrangement, buses didn’t encroach on driveways and buses left the stop within three minutes.
“While it was observed that when vehicles parked opposite one another in White St this reduced the road to one lane in these locations, this is not uncommon or undesirable on local residential streets as this one lane operation ... helps to effectively reduce the general traffic speeds, improving road safety,” the letter stated.
As a result “Council considers that no traffic changes are warranted ... as any delays that may be experienced are very minor and not considered to pose a safety risk”.
The letter also stated the bus stop on Edinburgh Castle Rd was “at capacity” and infrastructure improvements were not being considered “as the existing arrangement is not considered to be unsafe or a significant inconvenience”.
Mr Sfiligoj said the response from council “was very disappointing” but they were pleased a 40km/h speed zone was introduced to Edinburgh Castle Rd during peak school hours.
A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesman said, “The White St bus stops are the closest access location for school students from the buildings on the school campus.
“Buses using the White St stop connect with other bus and rail services to allow students to transfer and continue their journey to school and home.
$1 for 28 days: Full digital subscription
“Rerouting services will likely result in wider network impacts to these connections and longer journey times for students, which may result in them missing connections.
“Additionally, the bus stops on Edinburgh Castle Rd have capacity for three buses and are currently operating at capacity.
“Between 3.17pm and 3.32pm during school days there are 10 school routes timetabled to service the Edinburgh Castle Rd bus stop. Of these, nine routes start at this location.”
State Member for Stafford Dr Anthony Lynham will meet with the group this week.
The Department of Education was contacted for comment but did not respond in time for publication.
Woman tasered after threatening police with knives
A woman has been denied bail after a bayside court heard she was so drugged police had to use a taser.
Elite schoolboy’s despicable act after launching stolen ute into grandma’s car at 114km/h
This is the harrowing toll caused by an elite school graduate when he fatally launched a speeding stolen ute into a grandmother’s car sitting stationary in a 60 zone.