No foot paths and a 70km speed limit: Kempsey students say walking to school feels unsafe

Without pedestrian or bike paths, travelling to and from school can be an unnerving challenge for Kempsey Adventist School (KAS) students.

And for students approaching from the west, there is also Gills Bridge Creek (known as Rudders Lagoon) so tight it barely fits two passing vehicles.

Not to mention that once you exit the 40km/h school zone the speed limit jumps to 70km/h.

KAS student representatives have pitched as a solution a dedicated path and bike lane, joining the Visitor Information Centre in South Kempsey to the residential areas of Crescent Head Road. 

“This would give walkers and cyclists a safe direct link between homes, community spaces and key parts of town,” KAS student Julian told the August 19 Kempsey Shire Council meeting.

“As a community, we need to ensure all students, regardless what school they go to, have a safe route to and from their classrooms. It's time to … make pedestrian safety a priority for every school in our region.”

Julian was one of four KAS students to address the council, including Rohan, who said “many people don't feel safe walking along Crescent Head Road … especially across Rudders Lagoon”.

“Right now,” he said, “anyone walking or riding has no choice but to step onto - or ride alongside - a very narrow driving lane [in order] to cross.”

The speed limit on the bridge is 70km/h.

The students are also seeking a pedestrian refuge island in front of school, “giving students, parents and pedestrians a safe place to pause before crossing the busy road”, Julian said.

The students did their homework

Rohan said the students recognised that “funding is often the biggest challenge for projects like this”, but that they believed their proposal was eligible for funding under the Get NSW Active program.

Councillor Alexandra Wyatt described Rudders Lagoon as “dangerous” and said the fact there was no pathway was “ridiculous”.

Councillor Noel Selby, who sits on council’s Traffic Committee, invited the students to present their findings at the next committee meeting, on November 25.

Kempsey Shire Mayor Kinne Ring told the Mid North Coaster that "creating shared footpaths and bike zones in the future is a fantastic way to support safer, more connected spaces for walking and riding”, but stopped short of making any commitments. She said “it depends on funding and timing” and was “an initiative well worth investigating”.

Kempsey Shire Council said it would “explore opportunities to include the KAS proposal into future works planning and pursue external funding …”.

“One of the challenges identified is Rudders Lagoon Bridge, a known pinch point for pedestrian and cyclist safety,” a spokesperson said.

“Addressing this would require either a full bridge replacement or the construction of a dedicated footbridge alongside the existing structure — both of which represent significant infrastructure investments.”