Leongatha Primary School receives number of reports of ‘near misses’ on Nerrena Rd
A road outside a South Gippsland primary school has been described as busy as “Bourke St in Melbourne” with near-misses raising safety fears for students.
Bass Coast News
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A Gippsland school community fears it’s only a matter of time before a child is hit during busy drop off and pick up times on a busy road likened to “Bourke St in Melbourne”.
Donna Kerr, who lives near Leongatha Primary School, said there was a huge risk to the students who were forced to cross Nerrena Rd while cars and buses drove past.
Ms said her two children went to the school when they were little and her two grandsons — one in Prep and the other in Grade 2 — also attend the school, which is next to the TAFE Gippsland — Leongatha Campus and a short distance from Community College Gippsland.
“It’s been a constant concern — there’s no adequate parking — you’ve got about 500 kids at the primary school and then I don’t know how many at the secondary college,” she said.
“It’s like Bourke St in Melbourne — you’ve got to keep vigilant of everything you possibly can.
“People are trying to get out, where they’re doing illegal U-turns over double lines — just pulling out when they want to — even in front of buses.”
Ms Kerr said about four years ago, she dropped off her son at the college when a woman did an illegal U-turn and hit her car, writing it off.
“I went sideways up the road — all I remember was the smash of the glass — I had hip injuries because of the sudden hit,” she said.
“I remember there was a primary school kid on a push bike who got hit by a car four or five years ago when he was going home.
“It’s just mayhem — I’ve been quite concerned since my kids were at the school and now my grandkids.”
Ms Kerr suggested the speed near the school should be reduced from 40km/h to 20km/h.
Mum of four Jacque Telfer and mum Jessica Goulding said there were “frustrated” with the unsafe conditions
“There definitely needs to be more children’s crossings and angle parking because the cars park too far away from each other,” Ms Telfer said.
“Definitely a set of traffic lights and possibly a roundabout down near the bus loop.”
In a statement, the school said students should not be crossing Nerrena Rd anywhere other than at the supervised school crossing.
“End of school pick up is an extremely busy time on the road out the front of the school with buses, cars and pedestrians and limited carparking spaces,” the statement said.
“It was reported that cars were U-turning in front of buses, parents parking in the service lane opposite the school and waiting on the other side and calling their children across in front of traffic.”
A school spokesperson said staff would be advising children not to cross the road unless they were using the school crossings.
“We ask that parents also reinforce this very important safety message by putting the safety of our students above convenience,” the statement said.
The school has asked South Gippsland Shire Council officers to focus on safety around schools and “actively” patrol parking during school times.
South Gippsland chief executive, Kerryn Ellis, said the council monitors all crossings and follows up any near-miss incidents that were reported.
“Safety is a priority at crossings and parking patrols are undertaken during key school times by council and by the Victorian Police,” Ms Ellis said.
“Council also works with schools to address any concerns, and provides regular training for School Crossing Supervisors in collaboration with School Crossings Victoria.”
She said driver caution and patience was required at all times to ensure the safety of students, parents, school crossing supervisors and the wider community.
“Council will contact the Leongatha Primary School to discuss their concerns,” Ms Ellis said.
The Department of Education has been contacted for comment.
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