ACCORDING to Transport for NSW, making Marsden Lane safer for young pedestrians is in the hands of Bathurst Regional Council.
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Following an article published on June 28, the Western Advocate received a statement from a Transport for NSW spokesperson, who said Marsden Lane was under council's management.
Therefore, the installation of any new pedestrian crossings or refuges would be at their discretion.
"In April this year, Transport for NSW received a request from council to review the speed zoning of Marsden Lane near Holy Family School," the spokesperson said.
"Marsden Lane does not qualify as a school zone as it doesn't form the boundary for the school.
"Transport for NSW was not requested by council and has not opposed a pedestrian refuge for Marsden Lane, which would be the responsibility of council."
Council's director of Engineering Services has said that the location had been investigated multiple times and "does not meet the warrant" for a pedestrian crossing or refuge, as set out in the Australian Standards.
However, councillor Alex Christian has continued to call for a "common sense approach" to the issue, and he is not alone in his request.
Calare Academy of Road Safety's Matthew Irvine has said that school children will continue to be at risk for as long as there is no action on Marsden Lane.
"It needs action, it absolutely needs action," he said.
"There is ever increasing numbers using that [road] and the number of kids at Holy Family School is growing all the time."
He said council had to remember that the guidelines "help to inform a decision, they don't dictate a decision".
In his opinion, some sort of measure was needed to improve safety, whether that was a pedestrian crossing or refuge, and it could be aided by traffic control measures at the intersection of Marsden Lane and Ilumba Way.
Despite what Transport for NSW said, Mr Irvine still feels there should be a school zone on Marsden Lane.
He also encouraged parents who were concerned about their children walking to school to look at the possibility of a bus pass.
"There are guidelines around bus travel. You can obtain bus permits for your children to catch a bus to school, even if they are in a close radius, if it is provable that your children need to cross as unsafe road," Mr Irvine said.
