School lights get green light

Transport Minister Troy Buswell has all but promised flashing school zone lights will be rolled out at Albany schools within the next 12 months.

Liberal candidate for Albany Trevor Cosh showed the minister several identified danger spots during a recent visit to the city.

Answering questions at an Albany function on Friday, Mr Buswell said he expected signs would be installed at three or four schools by the end of the new financial year.

“We got a list of candidates (in Albany) and that will get rolled out, it’s a good outcome,” he said.

Mr Cosh said at this stage it was not decided where the signs would be installed, but he said likely candidates would include Albany Primary School on Middleton Road, Mt Lockyer Primary School on South Coast Highway, and Woodthorpe School on Ulster Road.

He said it was hoped the lights would be installed at three or four schools in the current budget and, eventually, all schools in Albany in future budgets.

Albany MP Peter Watson said he welcomed Mr Buswell’s comments.

Mr Watson has repeatedly called for the signs to be installed in the city and recently presented a petition to Parliament, which had 500 signatures.

“It’s something we’ve campaigned for, for a long time,” he said.

“I think it’s essential we have those lights, it’s the safety of our children.

“Hopefully (Mr Buswell) will come good with his promise.”

Mr Watson said he had identified St Joseph’s College, Albany and Mt Lockyer primaries and Woodthorpe School as priorities.

Albany Primary principal Brian Lee said he was very pleased with the announcement.

“We had a discussion about the flashing 40km signs two years ago, and we really see the need for them,” he said.

“We have got a couple of bad blind spots and we’re really pleased that the signs are going to be put up, that will really help.”

Mt Lockyer Primary deputy principal Steve Faulkner said anything designed to improve the safety of students would be welcome.

“We’re very happy that money will be put in place for it,” he said.

Mr Faulkner said he expected the signs would also be welcomed by motorists as a reminder to slow down, because the stretch of South Coast Highway near the school was a common speed-camera trap.

keir.tunbridge@albanyadvertiser.com