Riverside Road is undergoing a number of safety improvements identified in the Orewa College Travel Plan. This plan was developed by Rodney District Council in partnership with the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA), Orewa College, and local Residents.
An important objective of this Plan was to make Riverside Road more user friendly for pedestrians, cyclists and patrons of public transport.
For Orewa College, the engineering safety initiatives include the relocation of three pedestrian crossings to safer locations, restrictions on car parking to improve visibility, an upgrade of the bus bay area and the installation of School Zones. The works also include ‘SCHOOL’ markings on roads, improved signage and some kerb extensions.
And lastly a yellow “anti-skid” chip treatment has been applied to either side of the crossings near the schools which will assist motorists to brake for pedestrians.
“School Zones” are an initiative by Rodney District Council to improve child safety. They include solar powered flashing lights which are positioned to warn motorists they are nearing a school area. The lights encourage motorists to slow down but are not pedestrian crossing points.
The zones are an important step towards reducing the number of children killed on our roads. Over 1,200 children have been killed or injured during school terms in the last five years as pedestrians on New Zealand roads.
School zones will be rolled out as part of the Travel Plan program to schools across the district.
Further educational initiatives will raise awareness of road safety for children and parents.
Rodney District Council’s Road Safety Coordinator Jacki Dawson says that the changes are expected to make it safer for children to walk and cycle to Orewa College.
“Motorists should take care when travelling along Riverside Road due to these changes and to be aware of pupils returning to school after the summer holidays,” says Jacki Dawson, the Road Safety Co-ordinator for Rodney District Council.
The Council will be working with Orewa College to monitor the success of the initiatives.