The traffic chaos around Mark Oliphant College at Munno Para could be a thing of the past if Labor is elected to Government at the coming State Election.

A Peter Malinauskas Labor Government will invest up to $2.5 million to significantly reduce congestion around the College at peak times.

Local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo said that he has received hundreds of complaints about the traffic congestion around the college from both local residents and parents taking their children to school.

“Local residents have become prisoners in their own homes during school hours as the traffic congestion prevents them from leaving their own driveways," said Mr Piccolo.

“Sadly, when some drivers don’t properly give way at the adjacent roundabout the whole area crawls into gridlock,”

“While improved driver behaviour would help the situation a little, the only real solution is to move the traffic away from Douglas Drive into a properly designed drop off and parking area.”

“Parents are also concerned about the safety of their children when crossing roads as the congestion seems to bring out the worst in people.”

Local people try to avoid driving near the school during drop-off and pick-up times, if they can, clogging up other roads.

To address the issue, an elected Labor Government will build a new dedicated drop off and car parking area next to the western boundary of the college.

“This will divert traffic away from Douglas Drive into a properly designed drop off and parking zone.”

Mr Piccolo said the existing problem is set to worsen this year as the college gains approximately 200 additional students as year 7’s from adjacent primary schools move to the College.

“I wrote to the Education Minister expressing the concerns of local residents and the school governing council, but sadly he said it was a problem for the council and not the state government.”

“The Adelaide North Special School will also benefit from this investment in road safety.”

Mr Piccolo said the new drop off and parking area will also serve the future recreation precinct out of school hours.