By Candice Boyle
PEDESTRIAN safety in South Kingsville has been improved with the installation of a new rail crossing.
Lights, bells and safety gates have been erected at the crossing as part of upgrades to passive pedestrian crossings across the state.
St Margaret Mary’s Primary School principal Chris O’Connell said the crossing upgrade made a substantial difference to student safety. Mr O’Connell said the Birmingham St crossing, a two-minute walk from the school, was used by students walking to and from school.
“It is a commercial rail line and there can at times be a rather long wait for trains to pass,” Mr O’Connell said.
“The safety features are significant for us as our students do not have to rely just on their own vision and hearing any more.”
Acting Public Transport Minister Tim Pallas and the MP for Williamstown, Wade Noonan, opened the $240,000 crossing upgrade this month. Mr Noonan met Mr O’Connell and student leaders to highlight awareness of safety at pedestrian crossings during the opening.
“Dozens of freight trains pass through this particular crossing each day and my message to pedestrians is just, Don’t Risk It,” Mr Noonan said.
“I encourage everyone to do the right thing, to only cross at marked crossings and observe signs and audible warnings at all times.”
The Don’t Risk It! awareness campaign is aimed at educating people about safety at level crossings.
