Light on safety

By Monique Ebrington
YARRA Junction Primary School has been given the green light on safer school access, following the recent upgrade of their pedestrian crossing.
The $277,000 pedestrian-operated traffic lights and new bus bay replaced the pedestrian crossing located outside Yarra Junction Primary School and on the Warburton Highway.
Yarra Junction Primary School Principal Chris Thomas said with the crossing’s traffic lights, warning lights and speed reduction signs it could be the safest crossing along the Warburton Highway.
He said work began on the upgraded crossing and new bus bay late last year, and the traffic lights weren’t switched on till the first day of Term 1.
The project was aimed at improving the safety of primary school students and parents who utilise the bus stop and car park opposite the school grounds.
Mr Thomas said the school community agreed the upgrade had been a great success.
“We fought for the car park for around 20 years and, after we got the car park, the lights were the next step,” Mr Thomas said.
“Luckily in last year’s May budget the lights were approved and funded as part of State Budget allocations.
“We have a breakfast program, after school care and night-time activities.
“The school effectively runs from around 8am to 6pm and the traffic lights now mean that parents, or anyone else who comes to the school, have a safe place to park and get to school.
“The car park, the bus shelter and the new traffic lights have made the school one of the safest, I’d say, in Victoria.”
Mr Thomas said a crossing attendant was also stationed at the crossing during the school’s drop off and pick-up times.
Yarra Junction’s school community had become used to upgrades over the past 12 months, with their basketball stadium and canteen completed last year and work continuing on their four new classrooms this year.
‘We just want to provide the kids with the best facilities possible,” he said.
“That’s what they need for their education and that’s what they deserve.”