The Canberra Times state that it was children who were hit and injured, which is highly likely given there’s no safe crossing from Kingston to the 2 schools. Neighbours, myself and at least one school principal have requested a safe crossing for St Edmund’s and St Claire’s schools with the issue dismissed including comments from the ACT government that they do not wish to slow the flow of traffic. Suggestions of a flyover were rejected due to cost.

Many children need to cross Canberra Avenue to get to and from school. There is no pedestrian crossing anywhere between Fyshwick and Manuka on this road. It is a very busy road where many truck, ute and car drivers travel at high speed, as do motorbikes when it is not heavily congested in peak travel times. Strangely the speed limit is not lowered for the proximity of schools but that would be insufficient anyway as would a pedestrian crossing without traffic lights, given the reckless way that many drivers use this road.

It says a lot about the ACT government when it will not protect children’s safety, despite having the risks clearly highlighted. These requests to provide a safe crossing were even ignored at election time, perhaps because there was insufficient media coverage of the issue. Sadly we have a government who fails to listen to its constituents and address safety needs. This is a major issue for the schoolchildren but also for other pedestrians who need to cross from Griffith and Narrabundah to get to Kingston.