Road through new school to stay open
Community opposition has overturned a proposal to temporarily close a road that effectively dissects Hā wera’s new school, but a much slower speed through it is likely to stay.
A temporary speed limit of 30kph is in place until February 17 along a section of Camberwell Rd outside Te Paepae o Aotea, which opened last week.
South Taranaki District councillors are keen to extend it until further safety measures can be put in place to protect the students who have to cross it between classes while the school is being rebuilt.
However, it was not clear how long a ‘‘temporary’’ limit could be extended under current bylaws, chief executive Fiona Aitken told councillors, who met on Wednesday last week to decide whether the road should be closed during school hours.
In November, councillors agreed to the closure, which was requested by the school’s board of trustees.
But when the plan was notified there was a strong reaction from members of the community, with 20 of the 31 people who made submissions objecting to the closure.
In her report, policy and governance manager Becky Wolland recommended the council decline Te Paepae o Aotea’s proposal to close the road and request council officers investigate alternative options.
‘‘This will allow council officers time to collect accurate data on traffic flows and counts and investigate any alternative options that may be appropriate.’’
These included raising the pedestrian crossing, estimated to cost $268,000, installing traffic lights (estimated at $126,000) and reducing the speed limit.
However, as the Ministry of Education would not fund infrastructure over roads, the council would have to cover the costs, she said. The council was also considering restricting speed around the district’s schools in line with the Government’s requirements to have at least 40% of speed limit changes outside schools completed by June 2024.
Councillor Celine Filbee said the situation was ludicrous.
‘‘On one hand, Waka Kotahi have made recommendations that school speed limits be reduced to 30kph through speed management plans, conversely, we want to do that, but technically we can’t from today?
‘‘Can we put a pothole in the road and put a 30km sign?’’
Councillors agreed the temporary speed limit of 30kph should be extended while the process was under way.
Councillor Bryan Roach said he supported the recommendation provided the temporary speed restriction was extended while the process was under way.
‘‘We must look into how to keep it at 30kph,’’ he said.
Mayor Phil Nixon said the school had not provided detailed information on traffic flows and parking, but this was not easy, given it was a completely new school with up to 1200 students. ‘‘It’s asking them to put the cart before the horse; it’s difficult to do.’’
The council voted to decline the request for closing the road but asked council officers to look into alternative options including retaining the 30kph speed restriction.