The parents have warned the absence of a footpath on the eastern side of Rusden Road is a safety issue, forcing students to cross the road at a dangerous point and continue on a footpath that crosses several intersections.

The crossing point where the current footpath ends is outside the 40km/hour school zone and provides poor visibility for pedestrians and motorists. If the footpath was continued it would provide an unhindered path to the school for students, involving no intersections.

“Mt Riverview Public School has been actively seeking the construction of a new footpath to improve safety for students and families in the area for the last two years,” said school council president Michael Jackson.

“A safe and clearly signposted pedestrian crossing exists within the 40km/hr school zone, located in the middle of a straight section of road with good visibility. Unfortunately, this crossing does not have any footpaths leading to it. To reach the school from the south it is necessary to switch sides of Rusden Road at a small pedestrian island located in the middle of a series of bends in the 50km/hr section of road, then immediately cross the access road into the Mt Riverview shopping centre.”

Blue Mountains City Church has backed the school’s campaign, with its senior pastor Marilyn Brett adding her support to the safety call. The driveway to the church’s parking area is one of the intersections students have to cross when using the footpath to the school.

Parent Sharon Cameron-Lee said the school community was sick of seeing the issue continually deferred.

“Council promises something and then there’s inaction . . . I think actually we’ve been more than patient,” she said.

Grandparent Nola Forster presented the issue in starker terms.