Extra signs needed to warn of school
The mother of a 6-year-old who was hit by a ute while walking home from school is calling for more school signs in the area.
Jodeci Day was struck by the ute, which was towing a trailer, as she was walking home from school on Highbury Ave, Palmerston North, about 3.15pm on August 7. She was crossing the road on an unmarked crossing when she was hit.
Jodeci suffered scrapes and her bowel was punctured in three places. After surgery to remove a section of bowel, she is recovering in Palmerston North Hospital.
Jodeci’s mother Casey Bush said she wanted more signs up on Highbury Ave to warn people a school was in the area.
Somerset Crescent School is located on Somerset Cres, off Highbury Ave and Bush said a lot of children walked down Highbury Ave to get there.
‘‘If you look down that street, there are no school [speed] signs.’’
There was only one ‘‘school’’ sign up and was only visible when travelling down Highbury Ave from the direction of Tremain Ave.
Bush said the sign had been there for about 10 years and was faded. There was no sign from the other direction and also no reduce speed signs.
‘‘Everywhere around Palmerston North there’s signs saying slow down, 40km.’’
Palmerston North City Council senior transportation engineer Glenn Connelly said 40 kilometre speed signs had been put up in high traffic areas.
Those areas included Botanical Rd, Fitzherbert Ave and Park Rd.
‘‘The guidance from NZTA is we do the busiest roads first and then transition down.’’
The 40kmh signs were due for a review in 2018 and more would be added if it was deemed necessary.
Connelly said most of the action around Somerset School was down Somerset Cres.
Highbury Ave had a zebra crossing, but he was unsure why there was only one school sign on the street as they were normally put up in pairs.
‘‘We could see if it needs to be paired.’’
Connelly said he would assess the area and any signs that were replaced would be the new fluorescent yellow-green colour they now used.
‘‘They stand out better,’’ he said.