SAFETY FIRST: Amelia, Madeleine, Charlotte, Sarah and Henry Heath will feel safer walking to school once flashing lights are installed. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0508lights
ORANGE Public School and Bletchington Public School children will be a little safer as they walk to school after flashing lights are installed in their school zones.
The schools will receive the lights as part of an expansion of the NSW Government’s school zone flashing lights program. The government announced a further 160 schools who would have otherwise missed out will receive lights.
Member for Orange Andrew Gee said regional MPs had lobbied the government to ensure regional schools received their fair share of funding for the lights.
“The NSW Government has gone beyond its election commitment and announced an extra $4 million for the rollout of flashing lights in regional areas, bringing our total commitment to $17 million,” Mr Gee said.
“Flashing lights slow motorists down around schools and warn them they are approaching a school, this is great news for Orange Public and Bletchington Public school communities.”
Mr Gee said the installation of flashing lights at other schools in the area will be determined on a needs basis.
“I am happy to work with anyone who feels strongly about these kinds of issues.”
Orange Public School principal Toni MacDonald said she was surprised at the news but very delighted.
“That’d be great down at the K2 campus,” she said.
“We are always conscience of safety.”
Bletchington Public School principal Craig Booth said he was happy to see children’s safety was being taken seriously.
“If it helps keep our children safe then I say it is a damn good thing,” he said.
nicole.kuter@ruralpress.com
