The children decided to write letters to the mayor as they felt he may be able to help, principal Bronwen Seaward said.
She said they asked if he knew how they could get flashing signs installed like they have noticed at other schools and about other solutions that might help.”
Mr Broughton said it was great to receive the letters from the pupils.
“It shows that they care about what’s going in the district and are taking some initiative to not just complain about something but to actually do something about it.”
Last week Mr Broughton and councillor Bob Mugford visited the school to hear from the pupils.
“We listened to the students concerns and the actions they were looking at taking,” Mr Broughton said.
“The road is a state highway and controlled by the NZTA so is not under the discretion of our council. We said we can help advocate to the NZTA for improvements and invited them to attend the next road safety sub-committee meeting.”
Mrs Seaward said the pupils think the speeding is because a hedge along the road means motorists don’t know there is a school behind it.”
They also sought a quote for installing metal fencing as the children thought this would make them look more like a school.
The quote revealed the fence would cost $18,000 plus GST which is too expensive and just not possible, she said.
NZTA senior traffic and safety engineer David Scarlet said it is aware of the pupils’ concerns.
“However, the school is situated in a rural environment, surrounded by paddocks and hedges which screen the school buildings and activities from passing motorists,” he said.
NZTA has agreed to install additional signage so the 40km/h school zone sign will be visible on both sides of the highway in both directions.
