Not happy! Frank, Lisa, Peta, Nikki, Dave, Shauna, Margaret, Tracy and Mandy have parking problems at Cranbourne South Primary School after roadworks severely decreased the number of spaces.
By Glen Atwell
CAR parking outside Cranbourne South Primary School is at a premium after Casey Council roadworks reduced the number of spaces from 70 to 20.
In an attempt to diffuse the crush, the school is now offering its soccer oval as a makeshift car park to deter daily battles for bays.
With no school crossing nearby, many parents refuse to allow their children to walk home meaning vehicle pick up and drop off is the only option.
Cranbourne South Primary School principal Roama McKinnon refused to comment when contacted by the News, but frustrated parent Frank said picking up his child from school was like running a gauntlet.
“It is a traffic nightmare,” he said.
“There were once 70 car spots, now there are 20. How can I collect my child from school if I can’t park?” Frank said.
City of Casey manager of transport Paul Hamilton said access to the school for pedestrians and cars would be greatly improved when construction works were complete.
Penny, another parent, refused to let her child walk to or from school because there was no pedestrian crossing.
“Council is upgrading the road, yet there is no school crossing to ensure kids can cross the surrounding roads safely,” she said.
“More than 200 students attend the school and at least 120 cars pick up and drop off students every day, yet there are only 20 car parks. It doesn’t add up.”
In a recent edition of the school newsletter, staff acknowledged there was a number of problems with the roadworks and that the school would extend after-school supervision from 3.30pm to 3.45pm to ease the squeeze.
“It basically suggested that parents come in two waves to pick up their children,” one parent said.
“An extra 15 minutes is not enough.”
Mr Hamilton said works in front of the school included the construction of footpaths, a horse trail, indented parking and provision for future school crossings on Browns Road and Pearcedale Road.
“A roundabout will also be constructed at the intersection of Browns Road and Pearcedale Road as part of developer works.
“The road works will improve safety by creating a greater separation between pedestrians and car movements,” he said.
Mr Hamilton added that a footpath connecting the school to the Botanic Ridge estate, and available parking along Browns Road would also be part of the works.
