Menora school crossing: resident claims Coolbinia Primary School kids are still in danger

DESPITE $30,000 spent providing a safe crossing for Coolbinia Primary School students, a nearby resident claims they could still be in danger.

Caroline Nelson, who lives at the Bradford Street roundabout in Menora, just metres from the school, has seen trucks mount curbs and hit poles where the crossing is being installed.

In addition to her concerns for the safety of school children during peak drop off and pick up times, works that have been completed then re-done within weeks baffle her.

“The corner is unsafe; there are tyre marks on the pavement,” she said.

“The crossing should be further down the road, between the school and the roundabout because when children cross there, cars stop and it clogs up the roundabout.”

She said a pole installed as part of the works was hit by a vehicle just days after it was placed.

Ms Nelson also raised concerns about handrails being placed on the left of the path at the roundabout when traffic approaches from the right.

City of Stirling manager engineering design Paul Giamov said the works, being funded by Main Roads WA, were being done to widen the gap in the median island to accommodate a traffic warden-controlled children’s crossing.

“Despite the City’s advice and reference to numerous crossings in operation that have similar or lesser width median gaps, the Children’s Crossing & Road Safety Committee (CC&RSC) advised that until such time as the gap in the median was widened, they would not allow a guard-controlled children’s crossing to be installed at this location,” he said.

He said rainfall a few weeks ago highlighted an unforseen ponding issue near the pram ramp, resulted in the works being re-done.

Mr Gioamov said the handrails on the left were not in place to protect pedestrians from vehicles.

“The hand rails are installed to allow pedestrians or cyclists to hold while waiting for traffic to clear before crossing,” he said.

“While traffic flows may be approaching from the right, the hand rails are not intended to provide protection as they are not constructed with sufficient strength to withstand the impacts of a vehicle.”