New 30km/h speed limit signs going up around schools in the Ashburton district will come into effect on Monday 17 July, which is also the start of the new school term.

The new zones are part of the Interim Speed Management Plan adopted by Council and certified by Waka Kotahi. The 30km/h limit will be permanent around schools in urban areas, while rural schools will have variable speed limits that apply during peak activity times in the morning and afternoon.

Infrastructure and Open Spaces Group Manager Neil McCann said contractors working for Council had been installing signs ready for the first day of term.

“A few of them are already up, but we’re covering them until 17 July, when they become legally enforceable.”

The new speed limits are now in the National Speed Limit Register and have been certified by Waka Kotahi.

Mr McCann said the new signs were all within about 200m of a school entrance and would be reviewed over time to make sure they were in the best location to catch the eye of road users.

“A lower limit around schools gives drivers more time to react to hazards and decreases the severity of crashes. The data we gathered prior to consulting with the community last year showed that the median speed on our urban streets was actually about 35km/h, so it should have minimal impact on travel times.

“It will be a win for the community though and children will have safer journeys to and from school, which is what it is all about.”

The changes are part of a national plan to standardise speed around schools and Ashburton is among the first councils in the South Island to make a move.

“We know these lower limits have the support of many in our community because we received 80 submissions last year when we consulted on the draft plan. Schools themselves were among those wanting 30km/h,” Mr McCann said.