Crash rekindles fears for students

A group of Mt Eden residents want action after a car plunged on to the footpath in a spot they say is dangerous.

A power pole was knocked to the ground and a phone booth damaged in the accident on View Rd last week in front of a bus stop and kindergarten.

Debbie Lightfoot, who co-ordinates Mt Eden Normal Primary School's Red Rockets walking school bus, says concerns about the area were raised with the Auckland City Council more than two years ago.

"The footpath here is so narrow, and it's congested in the mornings with people waiting at the bus stop," she says. "We get forced out on to the road."

Ms Lightfoot says View Rd needs more safety measures because the existing traffic island does little to make the road safe. There is no pedestrian crossing and she believes the wide, straight road means many motorists speed. She says the road needs speed bumps, a zebra crossing and large signs to warn drivers that children are around.

Mt Eden Normal Primary School principal John Faire says the school has four walking school bus routes that are popular and growing.

Despite the use of high visibility jackets, View Rd safety issues have been raised in the past.

"Any developments resulting in improved pedestrian safety in that area would be most welcome," he says.

A local father of two says it is "a nightmare" crossing View Rd, both before and after school.

"It's incredible that such a large chunk of the school zone is cut off by this terribly dangerous road, yet the council is refusing to put in a safe place for crossing," says the man, who did not to be named.

Council network performance manager for transport assets Karen Hay says she has called for a review of the hazards on the walking school bus route but believes a pedestrian crossing is not viable because it would give children a false sense of security.

But Mark Craddock, whose children use the walking school bus, says if pedestrian crossings did not work, they would not exist.

"It just sounds like something a politician would use as an excuse."

Celeste Gorrell Anstiss is an AUT journalism student.

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