Speed safe cushions, which are padded bumps used to slow traffic, will be trialled at the pedestrian crossing points and approach to the Waimairi Rd/Grahams Rd roundabout in Burnside.
Pedestrian rails will also be added to the islands and cycle sharrow markings will be put in.
Westburn School principal Susan Jennison has raised safety issues with children walking, cycling and scooting through the intersection.
A Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency analysis was used to identify 13 recorded crashes at the intersection since 2013. Six of them resulted in minor injuries, while four involved people walking and cycling.
One of the main safety concerns was around crossing Grahams Rd north of the intersection where there are two lanes and vehicles turning left at speed.
Jennison said the school undertook a travel plan with the city council after concerns were raised by parents.
“Some of our youngest pupils walk to and from school. If they’re coming from homes to the north of the Grahams Rd/Waimairi Rd roundabout, they have to cross at the roundabout itself as Waimairi Rd’s northern footpath ends before Raxworthy St.”
Jennison said nearby shrubs can reduce visibility at the roundabout and bad weather puts drivers under pressure.
“Young children don’t always behave predictably and aren’t able to anticipate the speed at which drivers travel, so we sought to identify a solution that allowed traffic to flow steadily but also protected our young people.”
Aside from the speed cushions, the Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board has identified another possible solution.
City council staff discussed a trial closure of the left turning lane from Grahams Rd. But the board members were not happy to progress with this option as it could potentially cause delays for motorists.
Jennison said their aspirations goal was to have traffic lights installed at another local intersection but said the instalments at the roundabout are a great start to making their pupils’ journey to school safer.
“We appreciate that this solution might not be every driver’s preference, but the parents and staff at our school who visit the roundabout to support students’ crossing are delighted that this action has been taken.”
Waimairi Ward city councillor Sam MacDonald said the steps to make the intersection safer, particularly around the school, were sensible.
“It is the right thing to do. I don’t think people will find this unreasonable. It makes it safer for school children and lets traffic flow.
“If they don’t work, then it seems sensible to remove the changes without it costing an arm and a leg and look at using it somewhere else. It is a bit of a balancing structure.”
The speed cushion trial is set to last six months.
City council transport operations manager Stephen Wright said the project will cost $64,858, which includes the cost of removing them if the trial is unsuccessful.
Once the six months are up a report to the community board will include additional data and community feedback.
By Briar Allen
