FREMANTLE primary school has been without a crossing guard at busy Hampton Road since late June after the last one was spat on and requested a transfer.
The school and P&C didn’t return the Herald’s calls, but the Chook understands a frustrated driver, forced to stop at the crossing beside Stevens Street, may have spat on the warden.
Schools went back last week and WA Police’s failure to recruit a replacement guard has parents seething.
“To be without a crossing guard for the start of term is an unacceptable delay, especially on a mega-busy road like this,” says parent Matt Elliott, noting the stretch is busy with trucks heading to the port.
“My youngest son, Jay, stills goes to Fremantle Primary School, but there’s nowhere for him to cross safely on his bike.
• Fremantle Primary School pupil’s Jay Elliott-Tideman and Zephyr Balint at the Hampton Road crossing. Photo by Stephen Pollock
“It’s not just Freo primary kids that use the crossing, pupils from the Christian Brothers College use it and workers from Fremantle Hospital.
“It’s such a busy road and accidents happen all the time.”
Two months ago, 12-year-old Thomas Stevenson was hit by a Mercedes while trying to cross Hampton Road near Scott Street, the impact knocking him unconscious, breaking his leg, taking some skin off his elbow and injuring his shoulder.
Fremantle council has voted to fit speed humps on Hampton Road to try and ward off big trucks, and on Wednesday, Cr Rachel Pemberton tabled a 355-signature petition calling for less trucks on the road.
WA Police media officer Samuel Dinnison says recruiting a crossing guard for Freo is not that easy.
“We are currently working to recruit a replacement, however we have historically had a low level of interest from people in the Fremantle and surrounding areas,” he says.
“Local advertising has been arranged for the next week or so.
“We are keen to hear from anyone interested in becoming a traffic warden in the Fremantle and Cottesloe areas.
“Interested persons can contact the traffic warden state management unit on 6274 8731,” Mr Dinnison said.
by STEPHEN POLLOCK
