Pedestrian safety boost at local schools

The NSW Government is providing the funding to local councils, which will be responsible for rolling out the projects over the next two financial years.

Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson said fencing and median strip works will be carried out in Young at Berthong Street (Young High School), Demondrille Street (Young Public School) and Dundas Street (Hennessy Catholic College).

"We all have a role to play when it comes to pedestrian safety, particularly when it comes to safety around schools," she said.

"With students going back to school these safety works will help to ensure safety is the top priority as our kids walk to school, get dropped off, or wait to catch the bus.

"Roads and children can be a dangerous mix, which is why we continue to invest to make school zones as safe as possible."

Ms Hodgkinson said school children are some of the most vulnerable people using the road.

"This is why we have targeted safety programs such as school zone flashing lights, pedestrian crossings and fencing to keep children safe going to and from school," she said.

"These improvements are part of a $5 million investment across 135 schools in NSW."

Young Public school Principal Neil Muir said pedestrians are students, parents and staff and they ought to be able to feel safe when they are moving around school areas.

"The beginning and end of school days can be the busiest places of local areas, drop off and pick off is a busy time so the more we can do to make sure students are safe then the better," he said.

"Whether that safety is provided with by flashing signs or in this case the extra work where our buses drop off, safety is always our main aim.

"We have a large number of students who catch the bus and these works will now enable them to walk more safely into the school.

"The median strip work will mean less likelihood of students and parents crossing where the buses stop."

Young High School principal Keith Duran agreed pedestrian safety is of paramount importance around schools.

"Obviously student safety is important to everyone," he said. "Young High School welcomes anything that improves the safety of students on their journey to and from school."