By ANNA USHER

An upgraded children’s crossing outside Mosman Public School is making walking to school safer and more enjoyablefor students.

Transport for NSW’s Executive Director for Active Transport Kathryn Crestani joined Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan and Mosman Public School Principal Steve Connelly to visit the completed project.

The work on Myahgah Road, near Belmont Road, included upgrading a pedestrian crossing to a raised pedestrian crossing (wombat crossing), to help slow down traffic to minimise the risk to pedestrians, as well as improved stormwater drainage and fencing.

The project was funded by a $122,111 grant from Transport for NSW’s Get Nsw Active Program, with the remainder financed through Mosman Council’s capital works program.

The Get NSW Active program provides local councils with funding for projects that create safe, easy, and enjoyable walking and bike riding trips.

Mayor Corrigan said the project was part of Council’s ongoing efforts to promote active transport in Mosman.

“We know that walking to school has great health and social benefits for our young students, so any works to enhance the safety of that experience are very welcome,” she said.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said the new wombat crossing would be transformational for students and their families.

“I know one of the things that makes me feel confident sending my kids off to walk to school is that there is a good, clear raised pedestrian crossing right outside the school gate,” she said.

“It’s really exciting that students at Mosman Public School will now have the same safe crossing, I know the school community is going to love it.”

Ms Crestani said Transport for NSW was proud to provide funding for the project to help improve road safety and encourage more kids to walk to school where possible.

“Active transport is the most sustainable form of transport and contributes to improving neighbourhoods and the environment, reducing car use and traffic congestion, supporting local economies, and improving the general health of communities in NSW,” she said.

“We’re proud to be helping Council deliver improved infrastructure for those who live and work in Mosman, with this pedestrian crossing upgrade, one of 87 projects funded through Transport for NSW’s 2023/24 Get NSW Active program.

“This project compliments our new $10 million Active Transport to School program for councils across NSW, which aims to fund small projects in walking, scooting and bike riding catchments around public schools over the next two years.