Hundreds of pupils highlight road safety on orange day march through city

Hundreds of Tauranga school children march the city's streets. Photo / Andrew Warner

Photo / Andrew Warner 113018zhs4.JPG

More than 550 Tauranga pupils will march the city streets dressed in orange this morning to promote road safety.

The Orange Day Parade celebrates Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty's primary and intermediate schools who have joined with travel safe teams and the police in road safety activities.

During this year, schools have participated in travel smart, safe students, road patrols, traffic wardens and bus monitoring.

Western Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton said Orange Day was a wonderful opportunity for police and the community to recognise the students' efforts in keeping themselves and their fellow students safe.

"Their efforts in promoting and assisting with road safety makes a real and substantial difference to their school communities."

Staring at 9.30am, pupils will march holding road safety banners from The Strand next to the waka, along Harington, Willow, Spring, Grey and Elizabeth streets.

They will continue down Devonport Rd to The Strand to finish at the Edgewater Fan on the Tauranga Waterfront at 10am.

The school's banners will be judged before the parade by a panel from the police, councillors and the chair of the Joint Road Safety Committee.

Presentations for both primary and intermediate winning categories will be announced at the end of the parade.

A rolling road closure will be in place to ensure a safe event.

The Strand northern car park will be closed from 7am to 11am to allow schools to park vehicles and buses.

Itinerary
9.15am: Schools arrive and assemble at No.1 The Strand with their banners

9.20am: Opening speeches – Inspector Clifford Paxton – Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander NZ Police and Kelvin Clout Deputy Mayor Tauranga City Council

9.30am: Local dignitaries cut ribbon and start parade

9.35am Lead car then leads procession along roadway into Harington St

9.38am: Procession proceeds into Willow St

9.41am: Along Willow St past Wharf St

9.44am: Into Grey St

9.48am: Turn left into Elizabeth St

9.50am: To top of Devonport Rd traffic lights turning left into Devonport Rd

9.55am: Down Devonport Rd into The Strand to finish at the Edgewater Fan on Tauranga waterfront

10am: Schools assemble for presentation of winning school banners. Police and Tauranga and Western Bay councillors to present.