Blacktown City to launch ‘Can You See Me?’ pedestrian crossing safety program
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Blacktown City Council will soon embark on a new program to improve the safety of local school students at pedestrian crossing across the Blacktown City Local Government Area.
The program called 'Can You See Me?' will be officially launched by the Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Leo Kelly on Wednesday, August 29 from 10am at William Dean Public School (Yarramundi Drive, Dean Park).
The program is a result of a trial that was conducted in 2006 and funded by NRMA Insurance. From the trial, Council was able to select flexible bollards as the preferred method to prevent motorists from illegally parking at school pedestrian crossings.
"The results from the NRMA Insurance and Council trial has enabled Council and the Police to move towards a permanent solution to illegal parking - a solution that is effective enough to accommodate each school in the Blacktown City Local Government Area," Mayor Kelly said.
It is estimated the program will cost over $150,000 to implement over the next two to three years.
"Blacktown City has over 130 school pedestrian crossings. Council is eager to encourage motorists to do the right thing in our City's school zones and the addition of the barriers will improve the visibility for anyone using the pedestrian crossing, and the overall safety of our City's school zones," Mayor Kelly said.
"With the flexible bollards being installed over the next few years, we are aiming to prevent close to 100 per cent of illegal parking at each specific school zone location without the need for ongoing Police enforcement," Mayor Kelly continued.
"NRMA Insurance has played a pivotal role in this trial and program by providing adequate funding for Council and the Police to find the right solution to illegal parking", Mayor Kelly concluded.
