Children returning from the Easter school holidays will be walking to school safer with a new footpath on Barber Street at Bundaberg North State High School.
The new footpath will also provide a safe evacuation route for all abilities in case of an emergency.
The Barber Street footpath location was identified for inclusion as part of the Safe school Travel (SafeST) program to ensure students in the area are travelling to and from school in a safe manner.
The project has been included to finish a missing link that exists in front of Bundaberg North State High School from the existing driveway, opposite Marsh Street through to existing pathway in King Street.
Bundaberg North State High School Principal Robyn Kent said as the area could become very busy around school time, having the new link established would provide safe movements for students.
“As with all Queensland state schools, the safety and welfare of Bundaberg North State High School students and staff are our highest priority,” Ms Kent said.
“The Bundaberg North State High School community is very pleased with the announcement from the Council in collaboration with the Department of Transport and Main Roads that a new footpath is currently being installed on Barber Street, near our school.
“The new footpath will enable our students and members of the community to access the school entrance safely and comfortably in all weathers.
“As the pathway forms part of our evacuation route, the new surface will provide a safe exit route for all abilities.
“We are looking forward to the project’s completion, and to a safe and effective outcome for our students and their families.”
The design of the Barber Street footpath took into consideration that the pathway needed to protect the root systems of the existing mature trees along the street.
To ensure this, a boardwalk with minimal footing will be installed near the root systems to allow for the trees to have oxygen and water.
The boardwalks will be made of recycled plastic cellulose composite material, similar to the boardwalk at Nielson Park that were refurbished last year.
This project is partly funded by Bundaberg Regional Council and the State Government through the SafeST program.
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