The City Council is launching four new 40km/h School Zones in January. This follows on from the successful pilots launched at five Christchurch primary schools in 1999.

The new zones, which require traffic to slow down to 40km/h at the beginning and end of the school day, will be installed at Our Lady of Assumption and Hoon Hay Schools (which will share a zone on Sparks Road), Marshland School (Prestons Road) and Templeton School (which will have two zones, one on Kirk Road and one on Banks Street).

The new zones will be operational from Wednesday 29 January, 2003.

A New Zealand first, the part-time 40 km/h zones were established by the City Council and Transit New Zealand to slow traffic in school areas, and improve safety for school children when crossing busy roads near their school.

Electronic, illuminated 40km/h signs, combined with fluorescent yellow/green static warning signs, operate at the beginning and end of the school day. The signs are located from 150m to 250m on either side of the school crossing point depending on whether the school is located in an urban or a rural area. The electronic 40km/h signs are operated by an automatic timer located within a secure control box on the school premises.

Evaluations show that the zones have been effective in slowing traffic in school areas, and the project has now moved from pilot phase to wider installation of the signs as funding permits.

• For more information contact City Council Roading Projects Consultation Team Leader Lee Kelly on 941 8355 or 025 360 856, email lee.kelly@ccc.govt.nz