Ellenbrook children’s crossing still not complete after four years

A CHILDREN’S crossing between two busy Ellenbrook schools is still under construction after more than four years, despite safety concerns from parents.

Ellen Stirling Primary School has been lobbying for a crosswalk on Strathmore Parkway between Ellen Stirling and Holy Cross College for several years, with the project approved in October last year.

Despite the approval, works for the crossing have not yet been completed.

Safe Routes to School co-ordinator Rob Howes said the delays had caused concern for the parents and schools, with children risking their lives on a daily basis to cross the busy road.

He said there had been a number of “near misses” and was concerned child safety was not a priority.

“It took four years of lobbying by the Ellen Stirling Primary P&C to get an agreement by the relevant local and State Government to action the issue of traffic congestion and the safety of students crossing the road to school,” he said.

“To date the crossing is not operational, although the City of Swan has completed initial civil works (modified footpath, provision of cross-over and tactile markings for sight-impaired pedestrian).

“It is unlikely that the crossing will be in service until at least the start of term 3, some nine months after approval.”

Mr Howes said it was disappointing that there had been no urgency to get the crossing completed despite the safety risk.

“For years the school has been seeking improvements to make it safer for students.

“The school shouldn’t be driving this; there should be a push by government.”

City of Swan chief executive Mike Foley said the City expected to have the crossing completed in coming weeks.

“The City receives numerous applications for school crossings each year,” he said.

“We generally cannot commit to immediately undertaking civil works for all requests as each is dependent on budgetary implications.

“Therefore we must appropriately consider each request, budget for and prioritise them accordingly.

“The City is responsible for undertaking the civil works for this road crossing, which commenced in April and were recently completed on schedule.

“Main Roads are responsible for instating line marking, signs and bollards following the completion of our civil works, and this is now under way.

The required line marking has been instated and we expect the signs and bollards will be installed in coming weeks.”

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