As part of the drop-off zone, which was made in an effort to improve safety near Bathurst High, changes have been made to parking conditions in Hope Street.

Road safety officer Iris Dorsett said Bathurst High School presented a request to Bathurst Regional Council’s traffic committee to formalise a drop-off/pick-up zone following concerns raised by the school’s Parents and Citizens Association. 

“There has been a growth in enrolments of 15 per cent since the implementation of an half an hour zone back in 2006,” she said. 

“The Hope Street front entrance to the school is the main drop-off point for parents in the morning and a significant pick-up point in the afternoon.

“As the school has grown, the traffic flow has become more and more intense between 8.30am and 9.15am and at 3.15pm and 3.45pm.”

Under the existing arrangement, Ms Dorsett said there was unlimited parking for staff and students in Hope Street plus one unlimited disabled parking space and three half hour limit parking spaces. 

“The P&C had become very concerned with student safety under that arrangement,” she said.

Following an onsite inspection and meeting between school principal Geoff Hasting, Ms Dorsett, RMS Safety Around Schools officer Grant Sharkey and council’s traffic engineer Paul Kendrick, a report was put to the traffic committee that council install the school drop-off/pick-up zone with no parking between 8.30am and 9.15am and 3.15pm-3.45pm from Monday to Friday.

Ms Dorsett said the area is well signposted and is a split zone, meaning parking is half an hour outside the drop-off times.

She said council accepted the recommendation, with works being completed last Monday during the school holidays so as not to impact on the daily traffic flow.

With the new zones now in place Ms Dorsett reminded parents to observe new rules.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Sergeant Foran said the penalty for parking contrary to these new conditions is $169 plus two demerits points. Sgt Foran said police will be enforcing the new zone.

“Safety around schools is a serious issue and no leniency will be shown in these circumstances,” Sgt Foran said.