Concerned parents are calling for safer passages for students and community members to ride and walk to school in the Surf Coast Shire.
Surf Coast Shire Council accepted a joint letter during its November 28 meeting that called for a safe crossing of the Great Ocean Road near Strathmore Drive in Jan Juc.
The letter included 10 signatures and requested a safe passage for Christian College Geelong’s Surf Coast Campus students and Bellbrae Primary School to cross the Great Ocean Road.
It identified that there was currently no safe way to cross the Great Ocean Road near the schools and no accessible pathways for pedestrian or bike access to the east, west, or south of the area.
Councillor Kate Gazzard said that making the Shire safer for pedestrians and children was worth advocating for.
“Although the speed limits have changed to 60km/h and 40km/h during school time, there are still quite a lot of cars that go fast down that way,” she said.
Cr Mike Bodsworth said anything to do with safety should be a huge priority for the council, and he thanked the community for its passionate response to the issue.
“It’s important for communities to get involved in this way and advocate strongly for things they believe in including active transport, cycling and walking connections,” he said.
A Legislative Assembly petition on the same issue was tabled on October 31 to seek awareness and commitment to the funding, design, and construction of a crossing near the two schools.
