Safety concerns for Christian College Geelong, Bellbrae Primary students crossing Great Ocean Road

Child safety is at risk without a pedestrian crossing being established on the Great Ocean Road near two local schools, parents say. TAKE OUR POLL

Student lives are at stake, parents say, because of no pedestrian crossing across Great Ocean Road. Picture: Brad Fleet

Parents say children are risking their lives to get to school as they call for a pedestrian crossing to be installed along the Great Ocean Road at Jan Juc.

Mothers Myra White and Shauna Burford are among dozens of parents concerned a serious accident or fatality will occur near Christian College Geelong’s Surf Coast campus and Bellbrae Primary School.

They are calling for pedestrian crossing to be installed along stretch of road between Strathmore Drive and Anglesea Rd near the schools.

Ms White’s son started at Christian College’s Surf Coast campus this year.

But, she said he was unable to walk or ride his bike to school due to dangers of crossing the four-lane arterial road.

Jarvis Essing, Xanthe Essing and Silas Lamb with other students and parents are calling for a pedestrian crossing outside Christian College Surf Coast campus in Jan Juc. Picture: Brad Fleet

“There’s just no viable way to cross safely at the moment,” Ms White said.

“It’s too precarious.”

Ms White and Ms Burford launched a Legislative Assembly petition to call on the Department of Transport and Planning and Surf Coast Shire council to develop “immediate” options for safe passage.

Ms White said the petition, backed by MP Richard Riordan, was intended to bring more attention to the issue.

She said parents had been crying out for a solution since Christian College established its newest campus in 2018.

The campus has an expected population of more than 200 students from prep to year 6 in 2024, with a planned expansion to cater up to year 9 from 2027.

Ms Burford, who has a son at Bellbrae Primary, said there was an increasing number of families who wanted to walk or ride to either school.

“They realise how impossible it is to get across, and how terrifying it is when you’re 10,” Ms Burford said.

She said students could only get to Christian College by bus or car, creating another issue of congestions.

Ms Burford said a crossing would help safety, physical and mental health of students and the community, and reduce emissions.

Surf Coast council placemaking and environment general manager, Chris Pike, said a pedestrian crossing at Great Ocean Road-Strathmore Drive was being considered for funding, under the Department of Transport and Planning.

“Both the department and Surf Coast council understand how important this project is, to enable students and families to safely access the education precinct,” Mr Pike said.

“Council is currently working on pathway improvements, from Christian College to Bellbrae, along the old Great Ocean Road track, with construction work on this project estimated to commence at the end of 2023.”

Ms Burford said the timing was ideal to discuss including a crossing in the works.

“There’s no point in having a pathway if you still can’t get from Jan Juc onto the pathway,” she said.

Christian College Geelong, which is understood to be expected to contribute funding to a crossing, was contacted for comment.

The petition is online at new.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/great-ocean-road-crossing-in-jan-juc

Originally published as Safety concerns for Christian College Geelong, Bellbrae Primary students crossing Great Ocean Road