A school caretaker who campaigned for safety upgrades on a busy Canterbury road is pleased the local council has listened to his concerns.

Rubber speed humps have been installed beside a crossing on Southfield Dr, Lincoln, in the Selwyn district, which is used by pupils from Ararira Springs Primary School, with further speed humps several hundred metres from the crossing towards Edward St.

A section of Southfield Dr near the school will also have a 30km/h speed limit during pick-up and drop-off times, enforced through digital signs.

Part-time school caretaker Allan Roulton took matters into his own hands, monitoring the crossing with his fellow caretaker and writing to the council multiple times.

“We are really rapt,” he said.

Roulton thanked Selwyn district councillor Denise Carrick for her continued advocacy with council staff and Selwyn Times for publicising the issue.

Part-time school caretaker Allan Rolton had to stand on the road to minimise any risk to children crossing the busy route. Photo: Geoff Sloan

School presiding board member David Fitchett said it was great to see the council respond to the concerns and act decisively.

“It would have been horrible to have looked to it after a tragedy, and I think a tragedy was becoming more and more likely.”

Before the upgrades, Roulton said he regularly witnessed near misses at the crossing.

Latest traffic count data shows average daily traffic on Southfield Dr has almost tripled, rising from 1316 vehicles in 2024 to 3616 in May, with drivers using it as an alternative route to avoid the Gerald St roadworks. 

Ararira Springs Primary School caretaker Rob assists pupils and their parents to cross Southfield Drive. He said the speed bumps have worked well to control the speed of traffic. "They are fantastic, not before time. It's just made life so much easier." Photo: Geoff Sloan

In an email sent to councillors last month, council head of operational delivery Gareth Morgan said it initially seemed there were limited options available, but staff had continued to investigate practical and low-cost solutions.

“Collectively, these improvements should make Southfield Dr a less attractive shortcut for through traffic while creating a safer environment for school children, pedestrians, cyclists, and residents,” he said.

“Drivers choosing this route will need to navigate school low-speed zones and traffic calming measures.”

Morgan said the upgrades were a “genuine win-win” outcome for the school, residents, and the wider transport network.

Carrick was unsure whether the speed humps and slower speed limit would reduce the amount of traffic using the road.

“I don’t know if we’re going to convince people (to stop using Southfield Dr), but at least if they slow down for the kids, that’s my number one priority.”