The Branyan Road State School community will have a safer pick up and drop off area next year as Bundaberg Regional Council upgrades the school’s carpark.
The safety improvements work will benefit the wider community as other school students use the area as an interchange from one service to another.
Branyan Road State School Principal Geoff Fitzgerald said he looked forward to the carpark safety upgrades being completed in the new year.
“The school is extremely happy with the upgrades,” he said.
“We have children from schools around Bundaberg using the bus zone, so it is a worthwhile project for not only Branyan, but the wider community.
“The improvements will make our bus zone safer, making sure students are well away from the car parking that is currently allocated for the school, when they get on or off their bus.”
Mr Fitzgerald said while it was a lengthy project Council had worked with the school to minimise delays.
“We are just hoping the weather plays its part now.”
Bundaberg Regional Council Roads and Drainage portfolio spokesperson Cr Bill Trevor said the carpark upgrade would create a safer environment for all visitors and alleviate traffic concerns during peak hours.
Cr Trevor said the Council had identified the need for the carpark upgrade as a large number of school students, cars and buses shared a space in an informal arrangement, which created safety concerns.
“Ensuring the safety of our community, especially around schools, is a top priority,” he said.
“The work includes a single point of entry for buses and cars and formalises the bus parking to remove the conflict between cars and buses.
“Once completed the work will see a single gathering point for bus students and remove the need for them to be in the car parking area.
“These upgrades will not only streamline traffic flow but also provide a safer space for drop-offs and pick-ups as the overall visibility is improved for people utilising the area.”
Work is now underway and will be continue weekdays, during the hours of 6 am and 5 pm. Weather permitting, work will be completed within 10 weeks.
During construction, the area will be subject to traffic management measures. The appropriate signage will be in place to guide motorists.
The Branyan Road State School Carpark Upgrade Project is partially funded by the Queensland Government – School Transport Infrastructure Program.
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Well congratulations for the well overdue pick up area at Branyan Rd State school! What a band aide cure this is with nowhere for the parents to park while they pick up there kids.They are scattered all over Penny Lane, Bocks Rd, Tomatoe Island Rd, and walk to the school to escort them back to the cars. All this with 3-4 or more housing sub divisions to be completed in 2024 close by? Why not turn that useless (3/4 acre) parcel of land cnr Branyan Drive & Bocks Rd, beside the Water Treatment Plant into a car park.Considering the growth of this area in the next 3years it would it would make a lot of sense to a tight dangerous situation.