VicRoads refuses crossing outside Emerson School, Dandenong, despite fears child will be killed
VicRoads has said no to a school crossing despite warnings from the police, anxious parents and the school principal that a child could be killed.
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VicRoads has said no to a school crossing despite warnings from the police, anxious parents and the school principal that a child could be killed.
Almost nine years after the Leader revealed how Emerson School principal John Mooney had resorted to directing traffic on busy Heatherton Rd in Dandenong, police have warned that the situation outside the school is now critical.
In a letter circulated to education and council officials supporting calls for the crossing, Dandenong acting Inspector Graeme Stanley said police had received numerous complaints from parents and motorists involving “risk taking by students attempting to cross this road”.
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“This situation is now critical and with the increase in school population it will only develop safety issues,” he wrote in January.
But VicRoads told Greater Dandenong Leader a crossing would not be built.
Acting transport and planning director (metro south east) Sasha Yarwood said they had reviewed safety and believed infrastructure already in place was appropriate for the road conditions.
“However, we are happy to further discuss any road safety concerns with Emerson School, Greater Dandenong Council and police,” he said.
Mr Mooney said the school, which caters for children with intellectual and physical disabilities, had lobbied hard for a long time for a crossing.
“It’s a serious danger that our students are being put in every day,” he said.
“It needs a collaborative effort to achieve this.”
Emerson School has 405 students.
Every day 128 staff members, six 58-seater coaches and parents’ cars enter and leave the property.
In 2011 VicRoads said a layout plan for a crossing at the school had been approved but said projects must be evaluated on a statewide basis.
Greater Dandenong mayor Roz Blades said the council should lobby VicRoads for a crossing.
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