Media Release 6 October 2005

40km/h safety zones start at four more Chch schools on Monday

New 40km/h School Zones providing lower speed restrictions at the beginning and end of the school day, will begin working outside four more Christchurch schools on Monday (10 October), the first day of the term.

The new 40 km/h School Zones are on:

- Pembroke Street, for Chisnallwood Intermediate School;

- Waimairi Road, for Westburn School;

- Ilam Road, for Cobham Intermediate School; and

- New Brighton and Lake Terrace roads, for Burwood School.

The 40km/h flashing displays will alert drivers to the part-time speed restrictions for 35 minutes before the schools start in the mornings and for 20 minutes from when they close. They can also be activated when large groups of school pupils are using these roads during the day.

The part-time limits and warning signs are designed to improve safety for children going to and from school. In March last year the City Council announced the installation of three sets of these zones – on Innes and Breezes roads -- around six city schools.

Christchurch City Council installed its first 40km/h School Zones in 1999 at five Christchurch schools. Including the ones which begin on Monday, it now has zones providing low-speed conditions for zones for 16 schools.

Because the budget is limited for putting in such zones, the Council has undertaken a study to prioritise each school.

At the first Road Safety Innovation Awards in February 2004, the City Council in partnership with High Technology Systems, a software firm which designed the electronic signage for the zones, jointly won the award for Road-Based Innovation for the 40km/h school zones. The Christchurch innovation has been adopted by other local bodies around the country.

A register of the 40km/h variable speed zones is on the Council’s website at www.ccc.govt.nz/Environment/SpeedRegister/40kmhVariable.asp

ENDS

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