Parents’ footpath concern

Baldivis Primary School parents are concerned the absence of a footpath along Eighty Road is endangering their children’s safety while walking to school.

Parents have started a petition to present to Rockingham City Council and believe children should have the right to walk to school in a safe environment.

Concerned parent and schoolteacher Vicky Fletcher said students were not certain to secure a daily seat on a school bus service, which departs from Baldivis Central.

‘‘The bus is limited for space so children are not guaranteed a seat — the reason for that is we are deemed to close for a bus and told we should be walking but we can’t walk because there are no footpaths,’’ she said.

Parent Leonie Burnett said she would not allow her children to walk to school alone.

‘‘It is an 80km zone to start with—there definitely needs to be a footpath and a bit more control over the traffic,’’ she said.

Principal John Worthy said he registered all students and ensured parents were present to safely take part in this week’s Walk to School Day.

‘‘We didn’t do it last year because we didn’t have the confidence that we could get the kids safely to school,’’ he said

‘‘We have got people, out of need, that walk to school and it is a busy road, I counted over 100 vehicles that went past us in our 25 minute walk,’’ he said

The council has identified footpaths as one of its key priorities ahead of next year’s State election.

It will lobby the two major political parties for a dual use footpath connecting Warnbro train station and Baldivis.