Concern about traffic volume after pet run over

Kirsten Anderson  and daughter Natalia Skelton (10) hold a photograph of their miniature...
Kirsten Anderson and daughter Natalia Skelton (10) hold a photograph of their miniature schnauzer Sophie, which was killed outside their Surrey St home late last month. Photo by Brenda Harwood.
A South Dunedin woman wants road safety improved after the death of her family's miniature schnauzer in an alleged hit-and-run in Surrey St.

Last month's incident was distressing for Kirsten Anderson and her children. Last year, a neighbour was clipped by a car in the same place and badly injured.

Ms Anderson said she was now ''very aware of the amount of traffic we have in the area. Surrey St has become a thoroughfare between school zones''.

''Combine this with the number of children walking home after school in the area and the situation is a real worry.''

The Star contacted several local school principals, who agreed that traffic could be busy before and after school, but felt that the situation was under control.

St Bernadette's School principal Jan Taylor was grateful to police, who parked a marked car in Forbury Rd to help slow down traffic.

Bathgate Park School principal Whetu Cormick said the road outside the school was regularly moni-tored by police and there were programmes in place to keep pupils safe. There had been no accidents since the school opened two years ago, he said.

Council senior traffic engineer Ron Minnema sympathised with Ms Anderson but said there were higher priorities in terms of road safety in the city.

In addition to other initiatives, the council would consult schools on possible extra measures early next year. These would include introducing 40kmh variable speed limits in some areas and installing active warning signs.

The council has identified the ''highest priority'' schools in terms of traffic volumes and speed. These include Arthur St, Bathgate Park, Carisbrook, George St, Kaikorai, Musselburgh, Portobello, St Clair and Tainui schools; Tahuna Normal Intermediate; and Bayfield and Otago Boys' high schools.

''We would also like motorists to be aware of children around busy roads and reduce their speed accordingly.''

 

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