By Goya Dmytryshchak
An 11-year-old Altona Meadows pupil has petitioned VicRoads and Hobsons Bay council to reduce the speed limit outside her school.
Lucy collected 172 signatures from parents, students, teachers and local residents calling for safety improvements to two children’s crossings in Queen Street, near Victoria Street, outside Queen of Peace Parish Primary School.
The petition, tabled at this month’s council meeting, raises concerns about the proximity of the crossings to a roundabout, the lack of safe pedestrian crossing opportunities across Queen Street outside school peak times, and high speeds in Queen and Victoria streets.
“I had experienced a few unsafe incidents when I was walking or riding to school, and cars have often driven straight through on Victoria and Queen streets near the roundabout and crossing,” Lucy said.
“Because I feel unsafe, I wanted to do something about it. And also, because I really love walking and riding, I felt I should do something about it.
“Some cars can often go too fast.”
Councillor Colleen Gates said signage and line-marking upgrades had been immediately programmed in response to the petition.
She said the council would lobby VicRoads to reduce the speed limit to 40 km/h on Queen and Victoria streets during school peak times.
The council will also call on VicRoads to move the crossings further from the
Victoria Street roundabout and investigate an additional pedestrian crossing in Queen Street, such as a zebra crossing or pedestrian-operated signals.
“It is appreciated that Lucy has taken the time and initiative to gather this petition,” Cr Gates said.
“The local community has been raising this issue for many years now and we implore VicRoads to listen to the community’s concern and react with urgency.”
VicRoads’ Transport and Planning director David Teague said the safety of students and pedestrians was paramount.
“We will continue to work with Hobsons Bay City Council and Queen of Peace Parish Primary School to improve safety in the area,” he said.
“VicRoads welcomes community feedback on our roads and it’s great to see people of all ages taking an interest in road safety.”
