Vision for crossing

By Melissa Grant
AUTHORITIES are looking at ways to improve visibility at a school crossing outside Gembrook Primary, after parents expressed concerned about children’s safety on foggy mornings.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato has written to Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas and the Cardinia Shire Council, asking them to investigate measures to better highlight the crossing.
Ms Lobato said the school’s crossing supervisor had struggled to protect herself in recent times, as visibility only extended as far as a few metres in extreme fog.
Ms Lobato said the school community was generally pleased with the 40km/h speed limit, but many parents were concerned about visibility at the crossing.
“When it’s foggy you can’t see,” she said.
“They’re looking at ways to highlight the crossing more.”
The Cardinia Shire Council is upgrading advance warning signage to the crossing by replacing existing signage with new fluoro yellow-green signs.
The council has also provided an illuminated stop bat that can be used in times of decreased visibility; however the appropriateness of it will be discussed with WorkSafe.
In a letter to Ms Lobato, the council’s general manager assets and services Michael Ellis said the council wouldn’t provide e-flares and other illuminated signage at this time.
Mr Pallas said VicRoads was investigating options to improve visibility at the crossing in foggy conditions.
Gembrook Primary School principal Kym Peterson said the school community would welcome any improvements.
“We want to make the crossing as safe as possible,” she said.