A 28-METRE crash barrier has been installed outside Inglewood pre-primary following two road accidents in seven months.

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

Stirling Cr Terry Tyzack says the driver of the car who ended up against the school fence supported the council’s $7000 barrier.

“Originally the barrier was going to be installed in the school grounds, but we have managed to get it installed outside and readjusted the position of the fence,” he says.

“When children’s safety is at stake we don’t want to take any chances.”

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

• Cr Terry Tyzack and MLC Donna Faragher with Aileen and Ruby Johnson and Amanda and Ethan Hawkins outside the new crash barrier at Inglewood pre-primary. Photo supplied

The school is still waiting for the signs, but Main Roads installed high visibility caps above existing signs for this school year, and Ms Faragher says new WA transport minister Dean Nalder has given the school high priority in the 2014/15 rollout.

“The transport minister has advised me that he is supportive of the school’s request to have the signs installed to further improve safety at the pre-primary site.

“These signs are highly visible reminders to drivers that they are entering a school zone and that they need to monitor their speed.

“There is nothing more important than the safety of our children and I certainly hope that these new measures will significantly improve safety for some of our youngest students attending Inglewood pre-primary school.”

Meanwhile, Inglewood primary school on Robinson Street is also set to to get flashing 40kph speed signs.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK