Perth Voice Interactive

CHILDREN in Bayswater are being put at risk because of a Barnett government go-slow in rolling-out flashing speed signs, Maylands Labor MP Lisa Baker claims.

She says six schools in her electorate have no 40kph safety lights and she wants to know when the government plans to install them as part of its electronic school zone installation program.

“Parents are concerned that their children’s safety is at risk without the safety lights.”

“Safety lights are an effective way of reminding motorists that they are entering a different speed zone and to slow down,” she says.

“Bayswater and St Columba’s primary schools need safety lights as a priority because of their location.

“These two schools are in close proximity to each other, meaning extra traffic during school pick up and drop off times.

“Parents are concerned that their children’s safety is at risk without the safety lights.”

Bayswater primary P&C president Stephanie Baily is supportive of any measure to improve safety: “We will discuss the installation of safety lights at our next meeting,” she says.

Ms Baker and WA Labor leader Mark McGowan door-stepped Bayswater primary school this week, collecting signatures for their petition calling on the WA government to expedite the roll-out.

“Flashing-40 signs are an important part of road safety around our schools,” Mr McGowan says.

“It’s obvious these two schools in Bayswater require flashing-40 signs.

“I hope the Barnett government will agree that these schools should be a priority.”

Ms Baker plans to visit the six schools in her electorate that don’t have signs and collect more signatures.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK