Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is seeking public input on its formal consultation proposal for a variable speed limit outside Kaukapakapa School on State Highway 16, north of Auckland.
Transport Agency Director of Regional Relationships Steve Mutton says the Transport Agency wants to make roads safer for everyone and variable speed limits are a way to help make roads safer for children outside schools.
“At the time when children are arriving at or leaving school, and crossing the road, there can be high volumes of traffic, turning vehicles, parked vehicles reducing visibility, and vehicle speeds often appear too high.”
“To make sure speeds around Kaukapakapa School are safe for everyone we propose a variable speed limit that will lower the speed limit from 50 km/h to 40km/h during peak school traffic times.”
The proposed variable speed zone would be approximately 350m long with two electronic signs on the road outside Kaukapakapa School displaying the reduced speed limit. Variable speed limits are an enforceable speed limit.
Kaukapakapa School Principal Andrea Clarke says the school is very keen to have a variable speed limit.
“We have a high volume of traffic past our school as we’re on a state highway. It’s an alternative route north, so lots of visitors are passing through our community. Our school has different start and finish times from other schools so drivers might not be aware when the children are going to be on the roadside. A lower speed limit will certainly make it safer for them.”
Kaukapakapa School is located on State Highway 16 on the outskirts of Kaukapakapa Village, with a roll of around 300 students from Year 1 to Year 8. Nearly 5,000 vehicles, including trucks, pass the school each day.
“The variable speed limit will provide a safer road environment outside the school and help encourage safe and active travel to school.”
Formal consultation will run for 4 weeks from 19 February to 18 March 2020.
To make sure speeds around Kaukapakapa School are safe for everyone we propose a variable speed limit that will lower the speed limit from 50 km/h to 40km/h during peak school traffic times.
You can make a submission on the proposed changes by:
and
Submissions close 5pm on Wednesday 18 March 2020.
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