Safety improvements proposed for London Street

The NZ Transport Agency will undertake pedestrian safety improvements for Whanganui High School students, including the potential introduction of a variable speed limit.

The Transport Agency was approached by the school last year about finding ways to ensure that the large number of students crossing London Street (State Highway 3) at the rear of the school, could have safer access over the road.

Following discussions with the school and stakeholders, NZTA’s Regional Transport Manager Ross I’Anson says the following works will be done on London Street:

• Increase the length of the existing central island on to accommodate the student numbers
• Add kerb extension islands on each side of the crossing to accommodate a number of students and increase the visibility between the pedestrians and approaching vehicles
• Trim the hedge at the school entrance to improve visibility

In addition to the above treatments, the NZ Transport Agency intends to introduce a variable speed limit which will reduce the speed limit to 40km/h at the beginning and end of the school day. This will reduce the risk of crashes involving students pedestrians. Additionally, if there is a crash it will be at a lower speed and less likely to result in an injury.

The speed limit would reduce to 40km/h from 8:15am to 9am and 3:00pm to 3:45pm Monday to Friday during the school terms. On London Street the speed limit would be displayed by an electronic sign which will be blank during the times when the speed limit is not active.

Speed limits are set by the NZ Transport Agency and we are required to consult  stakeholders and other affected parties for their feedback. This process gets underway on August 14 and lasts one month.

For more information email ManawatuSpeedLimits@nzta.govt.nz