The Clutha District Council held its annual plan hearings in Balclutha last Thursday, and first up to speak to their submission were 11 children from Balclutha Primary School.
The sizable show of pupil power followed the news last week that Clutha district electoral ward Lawrence-Tuapeka notched up the second-highest turnout in last year’s local elections, at 70%, for its community board.
Councillors and staff appeared delighted to hear from the young activists in the council chambers.
They spoke regarding their concerns about road safety at the rear of the school, on Balclutha’s Glasgow St.
Charlotte Watt, 12, said pupils had noticed traffic and pedestrian interactions were "chaotic" during peak arrival and departure times from the school.
The school’s bus stop had recently been moved to Glasgow St, and a survey of traffic data conducted by the pupils had shown weekly movements of 228 children and 183 vehicles at an unmarked crossing, between 3pm and 3.15pm.
Charlotte said that was a recipe for disaster and she and her classmates were worried serious injury or a death could occur, unless the situation was addressed.
"Cars and trucks don’t always use their indicators, cars do U-turns, cars are parked where kids are trying to cross ... children [do not] know where to cross safely because there is no crossing," the pupils’ submission said.
The traffic situation was sometimes exacerbated by sports taking place at the facilities across the road during key times.
The school benefited from a marked road crossing on its other side, in Lanark St, Charlotte said, and pupils would like the same installed in Glasgow St.
"With a marked crossing, children know where to cross safely. Other people will also use a marked crossing if it is there."
The school’s submission was one of 109 received to this year’s annual plan, of which 42 submitters addressed council during a full day of hearings on Thursday.
Councillors will meet on May 19 to 21 to make decisions on the draft plan’s proposals.
