The battle is over for Hunterville School.
The Rangitikei District Council has voted to install "40km/h when children present" signs outside the school on Bruce St ... 18 months after the pupils first mooted the idea.
Concerned about speeding cars outside the school gate, a pupils' lobby group asked the council for flashing 40km/h signs that could be turned on before and after school.
A council-commissioned report found no need for the signs, but Hunterville principal Stephen Lewis disputed that and the school continued its push for speed-reduction measures.
In the meantime, the New Zealand Transport Agency made available the "40km/h when children present" signs. It was a compromise the council and the school could agree to and, while the 40km/h was not enforceable, Mr Lewis told the Wanganui Chronicle he was happy with the outcome.
He said there would still be an element of accountability because if someone was driving too fast it could be deemed dangerous. It was a great outcome for the school and pupils, too.
"Those kids ... they did do most of it on their own. They're all at college now but I've been keeping them informed."
Former pupil Meg Marshall said speeding cars were a problem in the area: "It's not the main highway, but the road is used a lot, especially by locals. A lot of logging trucks and stock trucks come down here, and there's a bend just up the road from the school."
Meg, 14, was a member of the five-strong pupil group that made a presentation to the council last year.
"We did a lot of research and community surveys - all in our own time."
Meg now attends Nga Tawa, but said she was still interested in the issue.
At last week's Rangitikei council meeting, Hunterville ward councillor Dean McManaway said it was a good way to end a long saga. He held some concerns over the cost, however.
"$3800 seems very excessive for two signs to be installed - is there something that I missed? That's a huge amount of money."
The district-wide use of the school signs will also be considered as part of next year's long-term plan, which Mr Lewis also pushed for during submissions.
Meanwhile, the council voted to drop the speed limit on Goldings Line in Marton from 100km/h to 70km/h while the limit outside Huntley School on Wanganui Rd in Marton will drop from 100km/h to 80km/h. The new limits come into effect on July 4.