Sick of seeing classmates hit by cars on their way to school, a Te Awamutu College student has spearheaded a petition to install a traffic-light controlled crossing outside campus.
By Jordan Smith of Local Democracy Reporting
The petition garnered 336 signatures from students, teachers and parents alike.
"Students have been hit by cars and drivers are on high alert as they worry about possibly injuring someone," it said. "With a crossing put onto Alexandra Street outside Te Awamutu College, road users will be able to safely cooperate and there will be less risk of injuries."
Petition creator James Crowhurst put the case to Waipā District Council on Wednesday.
"Sometimes the driver will stop for me on one side and I need to run across because the driver on the other side has no intention of slowing down, even if I'm already halfway through the crossing," James said.
A light-controlled crossing was preferred to a zebra according to the Year 13 student, who said the latter would only worsen traffic during peak hours.
"I have also spoken to a tanker driver from Fonterra who remains anonymous. They stated being in such a heavy vehicle, they often worry when driving along this road during pick-up and drop-off hours as they cannot slow down fast enough if a student were to run out in front of them.
"I was given a lot of praise by many students saying they have also been wanting a crossing. Some of those students spoke to their parents about it who also agree and want to improve the safety for their children."
Mayor Mike Pettit previously met with James in June to discuss the petition, of which he supported and gave a ballpark cost figure of $500,000 - one described as a "pretty close" guess by staff. Staff later said ratepayer cost could amount to $250,000 if a Government subsidy could be found.
In the council chambers Pettit doubled down on his support, saying the project is an important piece of infrastructure given the road's high use, especially by heavy vehicles.
A cultural mindset change from students realising it's OK to use a crossing a few metres up the road rather than crossing unsafely is required, he added.
"If we get this over the line... that's something that needs to be handed down to your teachers and the students below you," he said, addressing James.
"If you provide a good piece of infrastructure, people will use it. I also see it as part of a Te Awamutu CBD upgrade... through the Long Term Plan."
Councillor Shane Walsh said the chance of an accident at the college is “increasing every day”, adding the decision should be a “no-brainer”.
“I don't quite understand why it hasn't happened many years ago but now is the time because the growth is there.”
Council moved for staff to consider options as part of the draft 2027-2037 LTP.
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