By Molly Magennis
A concerned father is petitioning for multiple zebra crossing’s to be painted in the vicinity of Church Street Children’s Centre in West Footscray.
Luis Esteves has children that attend the childcare centre, and said the road is difficult to cross during peak hours, making it very dangerous for the children who attend the centre.
Mr. Esteves said zebra crossings are also needed in Essex street and Blanford street considering the area also has a dog park and a primary school nearby.
“It’s really kind of appalling the way pedestrians are treated around here, like you have a dog park, you have a school, you have a childcare centre,” he said.
“At school time you see people just waiting for five minutes.”
Mr. Esteves has started an online petition, and so far has received 356 signatures.
On the petition’s website, he states that the zebra crossing will make the area more inclusive, “by making it easier for everyone, particularly persons with impaired mobility, to cross these busy streets”.
He has contacted Maribyrnong council about the issue, and said some councillors such as Cr Bernadette Thomas and Cr Jorge Jorquera were very receptive to the petition, while others were not.
Mr. Esteves said he does not agree with councils argument that installing zebra crossings will be too expensive.
“We’re talking about a zebra crossing, that zebra crossing is painting the ground, it’s not an expensive thing.”
Mr. Esteves submitted his petition to council on February 4, where it will be tabled in the next council meeting.
He said it’s completely possible there will be no outcome from bringing his petition to council.
“I think they’ll be pretty stupid if they don’t do it, because I think it’s a crying shame. It’s so stupid that there’s not a zebra crossing there.”
Maribyrnong council was contacted for comment.
