Speed limit change approved for Mosston School area

THE district council's drive to improve school safety has received a boost, with the approval of a variable speed limit of 40kph outside Mosston School.
The primary school sits on a 70kph zone, with more than 100 cars arriving and departing from the area twice each day. Mayor Michael Laws has described the situation, with students crossing a road between two blind corners, as a "tragedy waiting to happen".
Mosston School has become the centrepiece of the council's push to improve road safety around schools, agreed upon amid frustration at a lack of action from Land Transport New Zealand.
However, the changes to Mosston Rd will be implemented with the support of LTNZ.
The community development committee agreed unanimously to recommend the speed limit be lowered for two hours during pick-up and drop-off time each day.
This will be trialled for 18 months to ensure it creates a safe and sustainable transport system.
In doing so the council rejected the option of creating a permanent 50kph speed restriction from Springvale Rd to Buxton Rd, because it would slow traffic on an arterial road.
The 40kph plan will see Mosston School given access to variable electronic speed signs for the area outside their grounds.
They will be able to alter these from inside the school. Although the trial will cost about $45,000, 72 percent of the cost will be covered by LTNZ subsidies.
The council's 10-year plan includes blueprints for the realignment of Mosston Rd between Buxton Rd and the Castlecliff urban boundary, as well as safety improvements for Mosston School's carpark.
Council officers are in the process of preparing a report on transport safety around schools, which is likely to identify further areas where changes are necessary.