School speed sign soon
By KRISTINA RAPLEY - Eastern Courier
SAFETY RULES: Elm Park Primary principal Trish Plowright with students, from left: Connor Moran, Cassandra Misiuaita and Adonijah Tanuvasa, all 10.
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A Pakuranga primary school is breathing a sigh of relief.
It has just learnt it will be one of the first schools in Manukau to get a 40kmh school zone sign.
Elm Park Primary on Gossamer Drive has struggled with a traffic problem for years with many close calls on the main road outside.
Principal Trish Plowright says she is thrilled with the news.
The signs are lit up, notifying motorists they are approaching a school and warning them to reduce their speed to 40kmh.
While the signs are used throughout the country, until now none has been put up in Manukau.
Fifteen sites within the city will get signs during the summer holidays in time for the start of the next school year. Another 15 to 20 schools will get them in 2011.
Manukau City Council transport manager Chris Freke says 132 school sites in Manukau were considered and prioritised according to the national warrant.
"They cost a bit of money so we won't be putting them in where they are not needed," he says.
"Because we don't have any in Manukau we have a reasonably long list and we will be making our way through that."
The council has allocated $300,000 a year in the long-term budget for installing the signs.
Owairoa Primary and Botany Downs Primary will also get the signs in time for the new school year.
Howick Intermediate and Willowbank Primary were assessed but did not meet the national warrant standards.
Mrs Plowright describes the traffic outside Elm Park Primary School as "horrendous".
"It's a really dangerous crossing. Even though it is controlled by lights, and we have parents and teachers monitoring it, we still see motorists doing silly things."
Earlier this year, the police, the council and students monitored the traffic.
They caught more than 200 people speeding in just two hours.
"I'm hoping it's going to make motorists more aware that they are coming up to a school. There are signs out at the moment but if something is lit up and flashing they will take more notice of it.
"I'm really pleased that the council has decided to support us. It's very exciting," Mrs Plowright says.
Traffic sergeant Lyon Dunn is confident the signs will be effective.
"We have a big problem with speed on Gossamer Drive. It's got a long winding hill coming from the Ti Rakau side and people pick up speed, causing them to go over the limit as they come close to the school.
"I think it's going to work, just because they are quite bright, and I think people will slow down when they see them."
