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The principals of Dairy Flat and Wainui Schools have taken no comfort from the Government’s recent proposed Setting of Speed Limits Rule, which it says will make streets outside schools safer.
The proposed rule changes are designed to improve the way Waka Kotahi/NZ Transport Agency and regions implement speed management changes.
Included is a proposal to require speed limits outside urban schools to reduce to 30kph (or a maximum of 40kph where appropriate), and a maximum of 60kph around rural schools.
Dairy Flat School principal Debbie Marshall says the school lobbied for years to get the 80kph speed limit on Dairy Flat Highway where it goes past the school gate, to be reduced to 60kph at pick up and drop off times. Flashing signs were put up five years ago to that effect, but Debbie says although this has improved things, it is still unsafe.
“A lot of big trucks go past the school, and it is dangerous at pick up and drop off times,” she says. “Children at rural schools generally don’t walk or cycle because of the distances, the lack of cycleway/walkways and traffic volume and speeds.”
She wants the speed outside the school to be reduced to 50kph at pick up and drop off.
“If a city child is only safe at 40kph, why is 60kph ok for rural children?” she asks.
Traffic roars along at 80kph on the section of Waitoki Road that goes past Wainui School – this was reduced from 100kph in the last six years after intense lobbying from principal Gillian Bray and Wainui School parents.
“We had to push for that, and we are now in a campaign to get it dropped to 40kph at drop off and pick up times,” Gillian says.
Recently representatives of the school board and parent group met with an Auckland Transport (AT) engineer, Police and MP Chris Penk to discuss the issue.
“They are talking about 60kph in a couple of years, and we can’t wait that long,” Gillian says. “We want the speeds dropped and flashing signs.”
AT spokesperson Mark Hannan says AT is working on a speed limit review for the road outside Wainui School and expects changes to be included in a future bylaw change next year.
“We proposed interim measures to improve driver awareness of the Wainui School entrance,” Mark says. “This will include reviewing the location of school signs. We will upgrade the signs and will also provide additional road markings, including a red band across the road with the word ‘slow’ on it.”
He says nothing specific has been proposed for Dairy Flat School at this stage, but it will be considered as part of the wider roll-out of speed changes around schools.”
Gillian says it is unfortunate that rural schools have to fight for these measures.
“The number of fast trucks, trade vehicles and traffic volumes are increasing as the area grows. It’s too unsafe to suggest walking, even from close by and way too unsafe to bike. This is health and safety – it shouldn’t be a fight.”
The Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2021, is open for public consultation until Friday, June 25. Info: www.nzta.govt.nz/speedrule2021
Backstories November 14, 2018; June 15, 2016
