Representatives from all three levels of Government joined today to acknowledge National Walk Safely to School Day and to highlight the ongoing safety issues around pedestrian safety at our local schools.

Students and parents from Marrickville West Public School were joined this morning by Federal Member for Barton Linda Burney MP, Member for Summer Hill Jo Haylen MP, the Administrator of the Inner West Council, Richard Pearson, and former Mayor of Marrickville, Sam Iskandar.

The school community has been campaigning for a second set of flashing lights on Beauchamp Street. The school’s application for a second set of flashing lights at the busy intersection of Beauchamp St and School Parade has been systematically rejected by the NSW State Government.

Over one thousand community members have signed a petition calling on the Roads Minister to install the flashing lights.

National Walk Safely to School Day encourages students to walk to school and for parents to ditch cars for the busy drop off and pick up, which significantly adds to local traffic congestion.

Another location of concern is the crossing over Bland Street adjacent to Haberfield Public School, where students are still waiting for news about whether a crossing guard will be allocated following a child being struck earlier this year.

Comments attributable to Jo Haylen MP, Member for Summer Hill:

“Today is an important reminder of the need for Government to properly fund pedestrian infrastructure.

“Parents and staff are best placed to know the dangers around their schools, but persistent calls for action continue to be ignored.

“It’s diabolical – the Government continues to use complicated and technical go-arounds rather than listening to the people who know best.

“This crossing – and crossings at schools across the Summer Hill electorate – need urgent upgrading if we are to encourage more families to walk to and from school safely.”

Comments attributable to Linda Burney MP, Federal Member for Barton

“The benefits of our kids walking to and from school are clear, in terms of local congestion, the environment and public health.

“Government at every level has a responsibility to act to make sure pedestrians of any age are safe on our streets.” 

Comments attributable to Richard Pearson, Administrator of the Inner West Council

“The Inner West Council fully supports a second set of flashing lights at Marrickville West Public School.

"I’ve formally written to the Roads Minister urging her to act and make sure that the lights are installed as soon as possible.”

Comments attributable to Sam Iskandar, former Mayor of Marrickville

“The community has been very clear: we need a second set of flashing lights here to keep our kids safe.

“As well as the petition signed by so many, you have all three levels of Government here speaking with one voice.”