Safety at last for King David
THE issue surrounding a potential pedestrian hazard outside The King David School’s Magid campus was resolved earlier this month, with the installation of a new school crossing.
THE issue surrounding a potential pedestrian hazard outside The King David School’s Magid campus was resolved earlier this month, with the installation of a new school crossing.
The Kooyong Road crossing solves parking problems and traffic dangers, say parents, who previously circled the block or parked minutes away to avoid negotiating the busy street with children, schoolbags and prams.
Nicole Laski was a frustrated mother of two when she began campaigning for change five years ago, but the project stalled due to requirements from Stonnington Council and VicRoads.
“VicRoads said it wasn’t a priority because there hadn’t been casualties … I thought it was pretty pathetic,” said Laski.
“[When you] watch grandparents trying to cross there, standing there for five minutes with kids and schoolbags … it was only a matter of time before someone got killed,” she said.
After an independent study, numerous meetings and negotiations with VicRoads, Stonnington Council officially opened the crossing last week, which is manned from 8-9am and 3-4pm.
“I’m really pleased that council has been able to work through the issues with VicRoads and get the crossing installed,” said Mayor of Stonnington John Chandler. “It happened quite quickly once we got things moving.”
Principal Michele Bernshaw said The King David School was “extremely relieved and gratified”.
“We are particularly grateful to Nikki Laski, one of our parents, who has tirelessly led the campaign and liaised with the local council officers,” she said.
Mother of three Galia Rose said she finally felt safe.
“For the last two years, when I’ve had to park across the road, I was very careful crossing. I had a baby in my arms or a pram and one child on each side … on a number of occasions it’s been a close call,” she said.
Laski said she felt empowered by the experience. “Many people would have given up but I wasn’t going to … it took five days to put that crossing up. Five years in the making – five days to put it up.”
LIVIA ALBECK-RIPKA
comments