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TORONTO Public School seems resigned to selling its $12,000 electronic message board (EMB) because a Roads and Maritime Services directive to move it more than 100 metres is impractical.
The EMB was first subjected to unwanted attention in 2013 when a motorist complained to Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) that he had been distracted by the sign while driving on Cary Street.
Lake Macquarie City Council was dragged into the matter when RMS inquiries revealed that the school had not submitted a development application for the EMB. Council ordered the school to pull the plug on the EMB in May, 2013.
RMS road safety officers then inspected the site.
"Roads and Maritime assessed the sign and wrote to the school in November last year advising it was not in a safe location, as it potentially distracted motorists approaching the intersection [with Bay Street]," a spokesperson for RMS said.
The council said the future of the sign had recently been discussed with the school.
"Council staff recently met with representatives from the school to highlight the need to consult with the RMS regarding the intention to construct any electronic signage in view of the main road," a council spokesperson said.
Discussions with the school were continuing. A spokesperson for the Department of Education said the plug would remain pulled on the EMB.
"The school now cannot use the message board given an RMS requirement that it be moved at least 114m from its current location," they said.
"The message board was bought by the P&C for approximately $12,000, but the school expects to recoup a significant proportion of the cost given interest already expressed in it second-hand."
What gives?
THE safety of motorists and pedestrians must always be paramount.
But what is it about the Toronto Public School electronic message board that makes it different to other approved school EMBs on main roads?
And how can authorities deem this school sign to be an unsafe distraction when retailers are permitted all manner of roadside signage?