KEY POINTS:
A sign announcing the end of a low-speed zone just before a busy pedestrian crossing outside a primary school will be moved after it sparked complaints from parents and teachers.
Auckland City Council assured Gladstone Primary in Mt Albert yesterday that the sign, advising motorists of the resumption of the normal 50km/h urban speed limit, would be moved past the crossing in Seaview Terrace.
That followed concerns expressed to the Herald by Gladstone principal Iain Taylor that the sign may encourage drivers to speed up after turning into the street from Carrington Rd, where a 40km/h zone will from February 23 be imposed along a 500m stretch at the beginning and end of each school day.
Motorists will be alerted by flashing electronic signs when the temporary limit applies, from 8.10am to 8.45am and from 2.55pm to 3.15pm.
Gladstone will be the the second Auckland City school to gain such a zone, although the scheme will extend to seven others before July.
Several similar zones are already operating in Waitakere and North Shore cities.
Hamilton is pushing Land Transport NZ for approval for 40km/h limits to be imposed outside all its primary schools - as is the case in some Australian states.
Auckland City staff said on Wednesday that their hands were tied by strict Land Transport criteria, which did not allow zones in streets where less than 15 per cent of motorists drove faster than 50km/h.
They believed that ruled out Seaview Terrace, where congestion caused by cars dropping off and collecting children keeps speeds below an average of more than 55km/h clocked along Carrington Rd.
But yesterday, city transport general manager Stephen Rainbow relented, saying: "We will make adjustments to include the pedestrian crossing within the speed zone boundary."
He said in a letter to the Herald that he was "very disappointed a matter over the placement of one sign should overshadow the fantastic work Auckland City Council, with the full support of the community, is achieving to improve road safety across the city".
He called the introduction of 40km/h zones near high-risk schools a vital part of a package of improvements to reduce crashes and make it easier and safer for youngsters to walk or cycle.
Mr Taylor applauded what he called a common-sense response from the council.
