FAQs

We have a vision for safer school streets, and have been working on improving opportunities for active travel to school and to reduce congestion on our roads. This has included reviewing the speed limits around our schools and making safety improvements to the road layout. 

This work has been in the pipeline for a number of years but dependent on funding. It was proposed as part of the Transport Choices Programme in 2023 when that funding became available and we received some positive feedback as part of this work from the school community and surrounding residents at that point. 

While the Government removed funding for most Transport Choices projects in New Zealand, Stratford included, SDC is still committed to continuing these improvements where possible.

Some of the issues we have been experiencing around our schools and why we’re committed to making safety improvements, include:

• Driving behaviour outside the school that is often illegal and puts kids at risk
• Near misses that make walking and cycling feel unsafe
• Safety issues that are a key barrier to active school travel
• Driving behaviour outside the school that contributes to congestion and queueing. Which impacts on other road users.

Read the Connecting our Communities Strategy to learn more about our transport network priorities. 

$100,000 has been budgeted for this and SDC is paying for this through our annual roading budget. 

The final cost of works will be dependent on tenders received and the design options chosen.

The proposed crossing on Portia Street will remove 7 angled parks on the west side of Portia Street, south of Wai o Rua – Stratford Aquatic Centre entrance. 

Small sections of unmarked parking on Regan Street will also be impacted with the construction of a refuge crossing. 

Once designs are finalised, we’d like to start work in May 2025 and have all work completed by Spring 2025.