NZTA looks at speed limit outside school

Roading authorities are investigating whether an 80km/h speed limit outside Pyes Pa School should be lowered.

Principal Brendan Clarkin said he was surprised to receive a phone call from the New Zealand Transport Agency suggesting the speed limit be lowered.

"It was quite a surprise to get the call about a week ago. It's a bit out of the blue," he said.

Mr Clarkin and members of the NZTA are meeting at 9am today to observe the traffic outside the school and consider the options.

He said the school had never approached the agency about having the speed reduced but was fully supportive of the proposal.

Mr Clarkin said there had not been any accidents or near misses in his seven years at the school but the volume and speed of traffic was a danger.

"We'd love to see the speed limit reduced. It's just because of the potential risk," he said.

The NZTA would be making a presentation to school representatives, Tauranga City Council members, police and interested parents this morning.

"The idea is they are looking to trial new electronic speed limit signs and they are looking to discuss it.

"Anything like that just raises awareness from a driver perspective so absolutely we want it."

An NZTA spokesperson said the agency was approaching a small number of schools in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty to investigate current speed limits, and the road and carparking layout outside schools.

"This is just an opportunity for the NZTA to present and explain the Road Safety project and what this entails.

"It is also an opportunity for the school, and a small group of parents and the local police to discuss the speed limit outside the school.

"At this stage, the NZTA is not planning to amend the current speed limit outside Pyes Pa School, but we will investigate if the current 80km/h speed is still appropriate."

Acting Western Bay road policing manager Sergeant Wayne Hunter said he knew nothing about the meeting but supported the proposal.

"It's a great idea. We'd like to do it at other places as well. Anything that's going to slow the traffic there when kids are around is going to make it safer."

Electronic speed limit signs are activated for a short period at the beginning and end of the school day and display a lowered speed limit during those times.

These signs have already been installed outside some Western Bay schools including Greenpark School, Otumoetai Primary and Welcome Bay School.