Hammond Park children's crossing

The City of Cockburn's response to ABC Radio Perth about the Hammond Park children's crossing


Question: What are some of the major challenges/barriers to providing a safe crossing with a traffic warden?
 
Answer: The consideration and approval for children’s crossings involves multiple agencies, including Main Roads WA, WA Police and the City.
 
Children’s crossing projects take time to be planned, assessed, approved and constructed.
 
Currently contractor availability is limited across all levels of construction.
 
Traffic wardens are employed by WA Police. The City has included links on its website for community members to find out more about these paid roles by the WA Police.
 
There are many unmanned children’s crossings throughout the City. 
 
We trust that along with improvement works undertaken, that the community practises road safety, particularly around areas frequented by children and families.
 
Question: Do the amount roundabouts in the suburb provide a problem in the suburb for pedestrians in particular school children, to be able to cross major roads in the suburb?  
 
Answer: The crash data for the last five years shows no pedestrian injuries on any of the roundabouts within the walkable catchment of Hammond Park Primary School.
 
One lane roundabouts are a traffic calming device that reduce the speed of vehicles and the risk and severity of a collision with a pedestrian.
 
Splitter islands and medians enable pedestrians to cross one direction of traffic at a time by stopping in the median and having extra protection from traffic.      
 
Motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians have a joint responsibility to share the road respectfully and safely.

Question: What measures is the City of Cockburn implementing to increase pedestrian safety in the suburb?

Answer: The City has undertaken road improvements in the area totalling about $350,000.
 
New paths have been constructed in Hammond Park as well as installing a children’s crossing, improved pram ramps and extension of the speed reduction zones around the school.
 
The City also monitors sightlines along pedestrian routes to ensure vegetation is trimmed so children walking to school can be easily seen by drivers.
   
Question: Is there a date set of when the children’s crossing might be complete and a traffic warden might be employed?

Answer: The children’s crossing was completed by October 2022. 
 
WA Police has been recruiting a traffic warden for this location and hope to have one available in early 2023. 

Question: Is the City concerned about children’s safety crossing in this area?
 
Answer: The City takes the community’s concerns very seriously.
 
The City has advocated on the community’s behalf to Main Roads WA and WA Police to enable a traffic warden to be positioned at this location.

The City has also asked the school to assist by promoting the traffic warden opportunity through its Parents & Citizens group.