Perth Voice Interactive

A 28-METRE crash barrier will be installed in the grounds of Inglewood pre-primary following two road accidents in seven months.

Earlier this month an accident occurred near the Hamer Parade school just before closing time. Last year a car ended up against the boundary fence.

As well as installing the $7000 barrier, Stirling city council will investigate partial closure of the Eighth Avenue and Walter Road intersection, removing the right and left “in” lane to the avenue.

Cr Terry Tyzack says the driver of the car who ended up against the school fence last year backs the safety measures.

“This is an ongoing issue, there has been a spate of accidents outside the pre-primary,” he says.

“Motorists need to slow down as they approach the school”

“Do we have to wait until someone ploughs through the fence and into the playground? I spoke to the driver involved and he’s on board with our proposal.”

The city will also investigate road calming measures on Hamer Parade, but Cr Tyzack said that might be impractical as the road is a bus route.

Stirling council director Trevor Eves concedes the measures the council is looking at are at least three to five years away due to a backlog of projects.

Local Liberal MLC Donna Faragher tabled a 400-signature petition to state parliament last year calling for the school to receive priority in the Barnett government’s rollout of flashing 40kph speed signs.

The school is still waiting for the signs, but Main Roads installed high visibility caps above existing signs for this school year.

“I am very concerned that accidents continue to be reported near Inglewood pre-primary school,” Ms Faragher says.

“It is clearly a black spot and improvements need to be made: the children’s safety is the number one priority.

“Motorists need to slow down as they approach the school, particularly during peak school drop-off/pick-up times and I am very supportive of the school’s request to be included in the next round of the 40kph flashing school zone sign program.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK