Pollies differ on school’s road safety concerns

MEMBER for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has called for urgent road safety upgrades around Epsom Primary School, criticising the Premier and Bendigo East MP Jacinta Allan for failing to action improvements.

This is despite the City of Greater Bendigo being responsible for all local roads and school pick-up and drop-off arrangements.

Lovell claimed that two years ago the Premier said her government was working on a solution to improve safety at the busy drop-off and pick-up zone at the school, but since then nothing had been done.

She said Allan has in fact been well aware of the traffic issues at the school for more than two decades after visiting in 2000, shortly after her 1999 election, speaking in parliament afterwards to note the safety hazards caused by high traffic volumes along Howard Street.

“I hope the Premier has the decency to do the right thing for a school in her electorate, and finally fund and implement these vital road safety upgrades at the school before she is forced out of office,” she said.

In response, Allan said she has been working with the Epsom community over a number of years to deliver a brand new school, and now a major upgrade to the Midland Highway and Howard Street intersection to improve safety.

“Pick-up and drop-off arrangements are managed by council, and we’ll continue working together to identify improvements where they’re needed,” she promised.

Lovell also spoke in parliament recently to again urge the Premier to take immediate action.