Amelia’s wish comes true

Seven-year-old Amelia Taatiti is no longer worried about being hit on her way to Papakowhai School since a new Kea crossing has been given the green light.

The determined year 3 pupil wrote a speech early this month about why the school needed a crossing.

‘‘Little 5-year-olds don’t know their road rules and because we don’t have a pedestrian crossing I am very worried about them,’’ she wrote.

‘‘I see kids crossing the road without a parent every day. I see parents coming to school who cross the road right in front of driving cars and buses.

‘‘It scares me. Kids are supposed to be safe and should have a pedestrian crossing. Kids need a pedestrian crossing so they can walk to school on their own.’’

Only days after writing the speech, she was very happy to learn that Porirua City Council had plans to put in a Kea crossing.

Her mother, Tracy Tipene, said a crossing would help make the road less of a safety concern.

‘‘We see lots of kids crossing without parents all the time,’’ she said.

‘‘Even having the presence of a crossing will slow people down. When it is chocka-block full of cars on both sides it’s quite dangerous.’’

Porirua City Council has been working closely with the school to come up with a solution for the busy traffic problem.

The community consultation period ended last week.

School principal Mark Smith said the crossing, which would operate before and after school,