Schools targeted for speed limit changes

SPEED limits could be in for a shakeup on some Dunedin streets in a push to improve safety around schools.

The Dunedin City Council has reviewed speed limits across the network and identified eight more schools that would benefit from a proposal to create 40kmh ‘‘variable speed limits’’.

The limits, designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists heading to and from school, would be in place from 8am9.30am and 2pm4pm if approved.

The council has also identified areas in which existing 40kmh variable speed limits could be expanded, as well as tweaks to other permanent speed limits on some city roads.

The details were contained in a staff report, by council senior traffic engineer Lisa Clifford and transportation safety team leader Hjarne Poulsen, to be considered at next week’s infrastructure services and networks committee meeting.

If backed by councillors, the proposed changes would be released for public consultation from October 23 to November 20, followed by a public hearing — if required — sometime in December. Any changes were expected to be introduced next year.

The staff report said 40kmh variable speed limits were first introduced in Christchurch as a trial in 2000, followed by Dunedin in 2015, outside Carisbrook School, Kaikorai Valley College, King’s and Queen’s High Schools and Wakari School.

The latest review had identified eight schools to be added to the list — Bayfield High School, East Taieri School, Fairfield School, George Street Normal School, Logan Park High School, Dunedin North Intermediate and Sacred Heart School and Waitati School.

The schools were identified based on road safety history, school rolls and the surrounding road environment.

Two schools — Kaikorai Valley College and Wakari School — would also have their existing variable speed limits extended to include more crossing points and bus stops, creating more of a buffer around the schools.

Logan Park High School, rather than having a variable speed limit added, would instead have a permanent 40kmh speed limit introduced along the length of Butts Rd, under the proposals.

Work on a central city school cluster — focused on safety improvements around Otago Boys’ and Otago Girls’ High Schools, Kavanagh College, Arthur Street School and St Joseph’s Cathedral School — would also continue.

That could include the introduction of a variable or permanent 40kmh speed limit within the zone, and a push for 30kmh limits, the report said.

Elsewhere, short extensions of existing 50kmh permanent limits were proposed on parts of Three Mile Hill Rd, Main South Rd, Main Rd, Gladstone Rd North and Puddle Alley, while the existing 60kmh limit was pushed out on a section of Brighton Rd.

The work, supported by the NZ Transport Agency, was expected to cost about $600,000.

Research showed a pedestrian struck by a vehicle travelling at 45kmh had a 50% chance of dying, but that dropped to 10% at 30kmh.