Community
30 July, 2023
Safety boost for students
MERRIVALE Primary School students can now walk safely to and from school thanks to a new crossing.
Warrnambool’s 31st supervised school crossing opened last week on Landmann Street, connecting the school with Merrivale Recreation Reserve and the houses beyond.
The project also includes a new concrete ramp and footpath to link the crossing with the reserve car park.
Merrivale Primary School principal Simon Perry welcomed the new crossing.
“This will encourage students to walk, ride and scoot to school,” he said.
“It’s about being active but doing that safely. This is an important safety feature for our school and community that will help kids get to and from school safely.”
Mr Perry thanked the Warrnambool City Council for getting the project off the ground and the Merrivale school council who has worked for a number of years to see the project to fruition.
Warrnambool mayor Cr Debbie Arnott said the new crossing was an excellent outcome.
“A lot of planning and collaboration with the Victorian Government goes into the creation of any new school crossing, so it’s fantastic to see it open,” she said.
“We also have a great partnership with the Merrivale Primary School, and it’s been really good to be able to work with the school to improve safety for students.
“Walking as a mode of transport is a great lifelong habit, and the more we can do to encourage walking, the healthier our city will be.”
Cr Arnott said that another school crossing for the city would be installed soon.
“The city’s 32nd school crossing will be on Raglan Parade at Hider and Ardlie streets and won’t be too far away following a successful application to the Victorian Government,” she said.
“A 40km/h school zone is planned to be introduced in August in that area, with the school crossing itself scheduled to be built in the September school holidays.”
Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a school crossing supervisor is encouraged to phone 5559 4800 or to keep an eye on the careers section of council’s website, with casual positions to be advertised in the coming weeks.
