Little steps making a big difference for city schools


School students and parents are being encouraged to walk and ride to school more often and in greater numbers, thanks to a new initiative that’s seen the City Of Sydney working in partnership with local primary schools to address concerns around street access and road safety.

Under the Connecting Schools Pilot Scheme, Council Officers have been liaising directly with school principals and parent groups to upgrade infrastructure and install signs to improve active transport accessibility.

By reaching out to schools to assess issues around public domain access, the Council has been able to take small steps that have had a big impact on making walking and cycling to and from inner city schools safer and more enjoyable.

Three schools – Bourke Street, Crown Street and Fort Street Public Schools – took part in the pilot scheme and have all welcomed the initial improvements that have been made. Now more schools in the LGA are keen to take part.

At Fort Street Public School, new school zone signs were installed and others moved for greater visibility. For Crown Street Public School a new, raised pedestrian crossing was installed at the intersection of Riley and Reservoir streets in Surry Hills.

For Bourke Street Public School, the Council erected new School Zone signs, installed bike racks and provided new road rule street banners. These measures have helped create easier access at the school gate and highlighted traffic rules around schools.

City officers have also been conducting regular Share the Path education sessions, while a requested increase in Police and Ranger presence has helped improve cyclist and motorist compliance with parking and traffic rules.

Bourke Street Public School principal, Peter Johnston, has seen a 75 per cent increase in student numbers in just two years and said as the number of young families moving into the area increases, so have issues around pedestrian and bike access.

“This is an inclusive community where the kids love to meet up on the way to school and go home together. Working to improve both school gate access and safety education for kids and road users means children and parents are encouraged to walk and cycle more, which brings the community and the local schools even closer.”

Bourke Street Parents and Citizens Vice President and local resident Vanessa Trowell has two young children at the school and has seen the number of children and parents walking and cycling rise.

“There is certainly a great sense of community that has flourished as the number of families and children walking, cycling and scootering has grown. But it has increased our concerns around road safety as many of us cross major thoroughfares, such as nearby Cleveland Street.”

Ms Trowell was a leading force behind the pedestrian safety initiative ‘Stop At The Dots’, which instructs children to stand two metres back from the curb at designated spots on the pavement. The Council has recently approved a DA application which means these coloured circles will become a permanent sticker fixture at the Bourke and Cleveland Street intersections.

“Steps like ‘Stop At The Dots’ have had huge support and shows that local businesses, residents and the Council can work together to create a great village atmosphere, while making the streets and roads safer for our kids.”

City Of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore has been actively involved in the Connecting Schools Pilot Scheme and programs to encourage an active lifestyle among families in the area.

“It is important that we work together so that walking and cycling is part of all our everyday lives, and that means supporting children, families and schools to be active and healthy. This is an on-going commitment to creating a safe and inviting Liveable Green Network that will benefit us all in the community.”

 

For more information visit City of Sydney