Fury flies over North Kellyville Public staff, parents ordered to stop accessing school via road

Parents at a public school in Sydney’s north west are furious after the Hills Shire Council ordered the school to stop students from accessing a safe road to access the school.

Rebecca Haynes and NKPS P & C chair Alison Nicolson (right) with children Lachlan Haynes, 5, Lukas Haynes, 5, and Charlotte Nicolson, 5, are concerned about the state of the footpath outside the school next to busy Helzett Road. Picture: Troy Snook

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Parents at North Kellyville Public School are furious after the Hills Shire Council ordered the school to stop students from accessing a safe road to the school.

On April 30, staff informed parents students were able to access the newly completed school through Thorogood Boulevard, Kellyville, following safety concerns surrounding Hezlett Rd.

Rebecca Haynes (left) and NKPS P & C chair Alison Nicolson (right) with children Lukas Haynes, 7, Lachlan Haynes, 5, and Charlotte Nicolson, 5. Picture: Troy Snook

However, just three days later the school was contacted by The Hills Shire Council, ordering staff to prevent students from using the road.

Correspondence from a council officer said an approved school operational transport and access management plan only allowed kiss and drop zones on Hezlett Rd — at the main entrance of the school — to be used by parents and students.

“You are advised to close all pedestrian access from Thorogood Blvd,” the officer said in the letter to the school.

Kellyville Public P & C members are concerned about pedestrian safety outside the school on Helzett Road. Picture: Troy Snook

School Parents and Citizens president Alison Nicolson said parents were “extremely disappointed the access point into the school on Thorogood Boulevard is closed”.

“The four days during which this access point was open was by far the safest week for pick up and drop off for parents and students,” Ms Nicolson told The Times.

“As far as the school and the parents and citizens are concerned, this access point is a much safer option for parents and students, as the school and the parents and citizens had received a lot of positive feedback about the access point.

“It is worth noting that parents have and continue to park on Thorogood Boulevard and take the kids to and from the school via other access points.”

Joshua Adams, 8, walking to North Kellyville Public School. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Ms Nicolson said Hezlett Rd is ‘very dangerous’ due to a lack of footpaths for pedestrians and limited parking for parents to safely escort children to and from school.

“The lack of footpaths makes life very difficult for parents who have prams and strollers for their younger children — parents who take their school aged children with babies and toddlers in tow to and from school have to deal with the treacherous and uneven ground while pushing their heavy prams and strollers,” she said.

Jibraeel Ahmad, 6, walking to school with siblings Ismaeel Ahmad, 4, Azaeel Ahmad, 3, and mum Sharna Khan. Students. Picture: Dylan Robinson

“The pedestrian crossing is placed in a dangerous spot on the crest of the road, and there have been many near misses experienced by the school community at all times of the day.

“The principal has reported two near misses involving schoolchildren, and if not for the quick reaction from adults within arms-length of these kids, there would have been serious accidents.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian meeting the students of North Kellyville Public School. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

She said the school community was calling on The Hills Shire Council to reverse the order, “even if it is a temporary measure until Hezlett Road is made safe”.

IN OTHER NEWS

Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said council is working with the school and residents on the issue.

“The school’s builder has now installed no stopping signs in Thorogood Boulevard, at the head of the cu-de-sac, to ensure the required service vehicle access and turning paths are maintained, which was part of a consent issued by the Planning Department,” she said.

“Now signage has been installed, pedestrian access is able to be resumed through the gate located on Thorogood Boulevard, with parents able to park in any available unrestricted area on that road and/or surrounding roads.”

Cr Byrne encouraged parents to use marked parking and access available via Hipwell Ave, where there is a new pathway within the school grounds to access this entrance.

“Council has worked to improve student and pedestrian safety on Hezlett Road by installing guideposts to better align on-road parking to leave more room for pedestrians, as well as making sure lighting was installed at the pedestrian crossing outside the school’s entrance,” she said.

“In the meantime, Council is investigating other temporary options, noting that substantial roadworks will be taking place over the next two years.”