Premier Morris Iemma last year announced “a $46.5 million investment over the next four years to improve safety around schools for our schoolkids”.

Mr Iemma said flashing lights would be installed at 400 schools, selected on the basis of their location, traffic accident history, traffic volumes, traffic speeds and student population.

But Bathurst’s Warren Aubin believes the criteria favour metropolitan schools, meaning little will be left for the regions.

“With only 100 sets of lights being issued each year across the entire state it will be places like Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong that will get them first,” he said.

“Bathurst will be well down the list and won’t see any improvements for years to come.”

That’s a prospect that does not sit well with mayor Paul Toole.

“It is not good enough for the State Government to say they will roll out 100 sets of lights a year, particularly when you consider the Bathurst region has around 19 schools that should all have them,” Cr Toole said.

“When you look at how many schools are in the metropolitan areas that doesn’t leave much chance for schools in rural areas to get the safety upgrades.

“Council has applied the criteria set out and schools at Wattle Flat, Kelso and Eglinton are all in a position to receive lights in the first year, but we do not have enough traffic compared to the major cities.

“Schools on highways are a major issue but all schools need to be considered for these essential safety devices.”