Stanhope Gardens girl writes letter to council

A young girl from Stanhope Gardens has written a letter to council to ask for a pedestrian bridge to be installed next to one of “the top-10 most dangerous roundabouts in the world”.

Mackaela Komene, 11, crosses Stanhope Parkway to get to her school. Picture: Angelo Velardo

A young girl from Stanhope Gardens has written a letter to council to ask for a pedestrian bridge to be installed next to one of “the top-10 most dangerous roundabouts in the world”.

Mackaela Komene, 11, crosses Stanhope Parkway near the Perfection Ave roundabout when she walks to her school, St John XXIII Catholic Primary School.

There is no zebra crossing near the busy roundabout and the closest lights are 400m up the road. Mackaela has written a letter expressing her concern.

Mackaela Komene, 11, waiting to cross the road next to the roundabout on Stanhope Parkway. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“I am scared from this roundabout because it is really busy, lots of cars drive fast, cars don’t use their indicators properly and many more,” she wrote.

Part of the letter sent to council.

“Sometimes I’m scared to cross it. It should be on the list of the top-10 most dangerous roundabouts in the world.”

She said she had an idea to make it safer.

“I got a solution for you to help save people’s lives. I was thinking we could put a bridge over the road so instead of crossing the roundabout we go over the bridge.”

She also noted, if that was too expensive, then “a lollipop mam or man” would also work.

In July, local man Clarrie Challis died after being hit by a car while crossing Stanhope Parkway near another roundabout.

Local man Clarrie Challis was hit by a car and killed in July while crossing Stanhope Parkway.

His partner, Susan West, was badly injured in the same crash.

“Council has conducted an investigation into the roundabout on Stanhope Parkway following

Miss Mackaela Komene’s inquiry,” a council spokeswoman said.

“Miss Komene suggested the construction of a bridge … but the number of pedestrians does not meet the criteria by the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to allow the installation of those suggestions.”

Mackaela drew a picture of the potential pedestrian bridge.

However, council said it would request that RMS undertake a feasibility study on the

installation of pedestrian-activated traffic lights along Stanhope Parkway.

Mackaela’s father, Khan Komene, passed on his daughter’s letter to Riverstone state Liberal MP Kevin Conolly who in turn gave it to Blacktown Council.

“All my kids have to cross that road daily,” Mr Komene said.

Mackaela points out where the pedestrian bridge could go.

“I will walk with them because it is not safe or take them in the car. But it would be nice if they could go themselves.”

He added it did not surprise him that Mackaela had tried to make a difference.

She has that kind of feeling that the right thing has to be done. She is also trying to run for school captain and she wants to see some changes.”

In other news:

RMS said that before it would consider installing pedestrian-activated traffic lights council needed to carry out initial investigations, a warrant assessment and strategic design.

Speed limit changes dismissed

Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has decided not to change the speed limit along the eastern side of Stanhope Parkway keeping it at 60km/h.

In September, RMS inspected the site and decided the existing speed limit was appropriate and in line with the NSW speed zoning guidelines.

RMS also installed two 60km/h speed limit signs and two 60km/h speed limit road markings northbound along the road, about 30m north of Sunnyholt Rd, to make it more visible for motorists.