Footpaths in Karitāne lacked kerbs and there was little to prevent people from getting hit by vehicles, a Dunedin City Council speed management hearing was told yesterday.
Risk was higher if vehicles were travelling quicker, potentially bringing more severe consequences for any pedestrian struck, the Karitāne School board said in its submission.
A 30kmh school zone and a small nearby stretch at 10kmh were brought in this year and the council has proposed taking the balance of the village down from a 50kmh speed limit to 30kmh.
The school has endorsed that approach and it was represented at the hearing by board of trustees presiding member Caroline Ryder and two pupils.
Amber Sargent walks about 20 minutes along Coast Rd to get to school and Mia Gorman has about a five-minute bike ride.
A picture was shown of Amber having little room to walk by the road.
The school welcomed the new measures and a planned raised platform to discourage high vehicle speeds would also be appreciated, Ms Ryder said.
In its written submission, the board said it had been concerned and frustrated about vehicle speeds outside the school and throughout the township for some time.
Footpaths were substandard, the board said.
"Most of Karitāne’s footpaths, where they exist, are narrow, unsealed and level with the road.
"It is also common for vehicles to park on the footpath."
The Waikouaiti Coast Community Board supported neither a 30kmh speed limit through the length of Karitāne, nor a raised crossing.
The community wanted sensible and practical speed limits and 40kmh beyond the school zone would be better , community board chairman Alasdair Morrison said.
Another submitter, Jack Crawford, said speed limits that did not seem sensible invited contempt of the law.
He also warned against blanket reductions.
Anthony Eyles said he felt proposed 30kmh limits were "dictating and controlling".
The hearing was adjourned until 10am today.
