Palmyra Primary School’s P&C Committee has sought assistance from the City of Melville to improve the safety of children and pedestrians crossing McKimmie Road, Alfred Cove MLA Dr Janet Woollard said today.

Members of the P&C committee met with Janet recently to discuss traffic issues along McKimmie Road, in particular around the existing road humps, which are being used as pedestrian crossings.

“There are currently no pedestrian crossing facilities along McKimmie Road where pedestrians have the right of way,” Dr Woollard said.

“There are red and white striped poles which are deemed to be “pedestrian crossing facilities”, however they are located at the road humps giving vehicles right of way over pedestrians.

“The road humps cause a lot of confusion because it is unclear who in fact has right of way when crossing the road at the road humps.

“The P&C committee has asked the City of Melville to replace the red and white posts with hand rails, such as those found at the corner of McKimmie Road and Aurelian Street.

“The school will do its part by educating students about road rules, in particular when they are crossing the street before and after school.”

“Parking is also an issue at the school with cars stopping on the western side of McKimmie during pick up and drop off times blocking traffic and adding to the danger.

“The P&C would like to see parking along McKimmie Road converted to angle parking as well as a possible ‘Kiss and Drop’ area.

“This will help to increase car park spaces and slow down traffic and create a much safer environment for all pedestrians and road users.”

School Principal Hugh McCrackan said the school has had a dramatic rise in student numbers in the past two years, particularly in the four to five year age group.

“While the wonderful parents of Palmyra endeavour to walk their children to school, this is not always practicable,” he said.

 “The school is appreciative of the work that Dr Woollard and the City of Melville are doing as the lives of our children are invaluable. “

The City of Melville is set to work together with the school to create a business case for angle parking.