Parents win fight for improved road safety measures near Port Melbourne Secondary College

Parents at an inner-city school who called for improvements to a dangerous Port Melbourne intersection after several near misses with trucks have had a big win.

Parents have won their fight for improved road safety measures near Port Melbourne Secondary College. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Parents calling for urgent road improvements outside an inner-city school are one step closer to seeing upgrades in the area, after the government revealed it would inject $1.5 million into pedestrian safety measures.

New electronic speed signs, fresh line markings and improved signage will be installed along Graham and Plummet Streets – adjacent to Port Melbourne Secondary College.

Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne and local member Nina Taylor visited the high school on Friday to announce the investment.

“We’re investing in more upgrades around Port Melbourne Secondary School to make it safer for students to get to and from school,” Ms Horne said.

The announcement followed a speed survey that revealed motorists were often exceeding 40km/h speed limits during school drop-off and pick-up.

While Chris Scanlon – whose daughter attends the school – welcomed the funding for improved safety measures, he said the upgrades needed to come sooner rather than later.

“Any upgrades that improve the safety of our children are welcome. It is great that the state government is responding to community concerns. But the question is when?” he said.

“Funding of $1.5m for safety upgrades was announced in 2023 — and nothing has happened.

“As far back as September 2021 a road safety audit commissioned by the Department of Transport recommended far more extensive upgrades, including kerb barriers and pedestrian fencing.

“I hope that this announcement is in addition to what has already been committed. While we are very grateful for the responsiveness of the Minister and Nina Taylor, we now need them to deliver on their commitments.”

Parents say there have been several near-misses with trucks outside Port Melbourne Secondary College.

Parents told the Herald Sun last month they’ve seen “several” near misses involving vehicles and students, since the high school opened at Fishermans Bend in 2022.

The sighting included incidents where trucks nearly mowed down students crossing at the intersection of Williamstown Rd and Graham St.

Parent Susan Harris said she had a near miss when a truck took a corner too closely in December last year while she was waiting to cross Graham St near the fire station.

“I took a step back to avoid the truck. I tapped another pedestrian on the shoulder so she could get out of the way,” she said.

“It may have been a different outcome with noisy, distracted students.”

A new zebra crossing, smart pedestrian detectors and 40km/h school zones were implemented following a Department of Transport safety audit in 2021, however parents said this wasn’t enough.

Rather, they called for raised platforms on all approach roads, changes to lanes and pedestrian barrier fencing to be installed.

The Department of Transport said construction on the new upgrades surrounding Port Melbourne Secondary College will commence early 2025, after the tender is awarded later this year.

“The safety of our students, parents, and staff are our priority and that’s why we’re putting in additional safety measures around Port Melbourne Secondary School to ensure drivers take extra care during school times,” Ms Taylor said.

Originally published as Parents win fight for improved road safety measures near Port Melbourne Secondary College