South Granville Creative Arts Performing High School wants pedestrian crossing

South Granville Creative Arts Performing High School has presented a 100-signature petition to Cumberland Council in an effort to improve safety for students at the Excelsior St “rat run”.

South Granville Creative Arts Performing High School’s P and C president Danielle Webb, students Sandra Kakari, Maher Haouchar, Aisha El-marouk and principal Melissa Johnson cross Excelsior St. Picture: Angelo Velardo

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South Granville Creative Arts Performing High School has presented a 100-signature petition to Cumberland Council in an effort to improve safety for students at the Excelsior St “rat run”.

Parents and staff are requesting the council install a pedestrian crossing and speed hump along the Guildford street, which, along with Rowley Rd, students use to enter and exit the school.

South Granville Creative Arts Performing High School’s P and C president Danielle Webb and principal Melissa Johnston. Picture: Angelo Velardo

School P and C president Danielle Webb said there was no lollipop person to oversee pedestrian safety and cars sped through Excelsior St to reach Rawson and Guildford roads.

“Cars aren’t stopping. Kids are listening to music on their phones,’’ she said.

“The ultimate solution would be a no-stopping zone … and speed hump and pedestrian crossing.”

The school’s Rowley Rd entrance has a pedestrian crossing and parents and staff want one for Excelsior St too. Picture: Angelo Velardo

Principal Melissa Johnson said vision was difficult for drivers because cars were always parked on both sides of Excelsior St.

“Because there’s a lot of cars generally parked, even when it’s not drop off pick up time, we’ll see a lot of cars parked so … you don’t see (students) as well.

“If you have a clear road you will see people parked there.

Students Ata Adem Anderson, 13, and Jennah Frankel, 14, head home after school. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“We want to be able to see kids coming and going from school. At the back it’s not clear because of the 24-hour parking of cars.”

A pedestrian crossing is used at Rowley Rd but another one is needed for students leaving via Excelsior St, she said.

Our Local Community Cumberland councillor Paul Garrard labelled the request for a pedestrian crossing a high priority at the school, where 560 students attend.

Students Aisha El-maroukv, Maher Haouchar and Sandra Kakari cross Excelsior St in Guildford. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“Excelsior St traffic becomes a bit of a rat run as a result there is a safety issue there and this has been a priority for a while,’’ he said.

“It doesn’t have a lot of public transport nearby so there is a tendency for kids to walk to school. I see it is a major concern.”

Cr Garrard said the council would look at imposing parking restrictions on one side of Excelsior St to alleviate problems.

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