Road safety boost for lancefield school kids

Students heading back to St Mary’s Primary School in Lancefield today will have a safer way to get to class with a new crossing completed in time for term one thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, visited the school today to celebrate the completion of the $70,000 school crossing on Chauncey Street (Lancefield-Woodend Road) which will improve safety for local children and families.

The Labor Government worked closely with the community including St Mary’s Primary School, Macedon Ranges Shire Council and Regional Roads Victoria to ensure the crossing is in the best location for increased connectivity, visibility and safety.

The project included a new crossing, kerb, channel, drainage, safety signage and fresh line marking near the intersection of Raglan Street, with works being carried out in time for the first day of school today – making sure kids are safer from day one, while minimising disruptions during pick-ups and drop-offs.

It’s part of the Labor Government’s $5 million school road safety package being delivered by Regional Roads Victoria, which delivers upgrades aimed at improving high-risk roads near local schools.

While drivers across the region are being urged to do their bit to help keep kids safe as the back to school rush returns this week.

On school days, speed limits drop to either 40km/h or 60km/h in the mornings between 8:00 to 9:30am and the afternoons from 2:30 to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday.

Drivers must obey reduced speed limits outside all schools on these days even if an individual school is closed.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
"Parents, students and teachers will all be delighted that their new school crossing has been completed in time for Term 1."

"We heard what Lancefield families had to say which is why we’ve made the walk to school safer and easier for our littlest residents and their families."

"We’ve all got to do our bit to keep kids safe. So, slow down, pay attention and take extra care during drop-off and pick-up times."

Quotes attributable to Acting Regional Director (Northern), Regional Roads Victoria, Séamus Haugh
"This vital project is giving the 1,600 drivers travelling on Chauncey Street every single day some piece of mind by making pedestrians more visible during school pick up and drop off."

"Crashes involving children around schools happen suddenly and reducing your speed can make a big difference when you are trying to stop quickly."