School welcomes roadside lay-by

TEACHERS, parents and pupils at Taonui School near Feilding are delighted that a more extensive roadside lay-by has been established by the Manawatu District Council as a safer option for school-bound traffic.

The recently-completed longer and wider lay-by opposite the school gates on Waughs Road allows vehicles coming from Feilding to move left off the busy road and wait for a break in traffic before turning right into the school carpark.

A serious incident involving a bus and a car about two months ago prompted school principal, Stephen Snell, to contact council seeking some support in providing better safety measures in the area.

“There was a limited lay-by on the other side of the road, but it was a narrow, metal strip, and people were reluctant to use it,” said Mr Snell. “They were being forced to turn right in heavy traffic and that can get quite treacherous, particularly when it’s raining and becoming darker.”

Mr Snell said it was not uncommon for following vehicles having to undertake “highly dangerous” passing manoeuvres when confronted by a right-turning, school-bound car in front of them.

“Because it’s a 100kph road, vehicles three or four back often pull out to pass a line of traffic, only to find the front vehicle indicating a right-hand turn.”

Mr Snell said the decision to upgrade the lay-by was a good solution and he was appreciative of what council had achieved in such a quick time.

“It’s quite amazing how much better it is and I intend using it all the time. It’s easier to move left, especially when you’ve got a truck and trailer unit right behind you, than stick around out in the middle of the road.”

Mr Snell said the school and pupils would now promote the extension as the safer option for school-bound motorists and intend collecting data on traffic flows and lay-by use during a 20-minute period each morning as pupils arrive at school. Most of Taonui School’s 45 pupils are from Feilding and all are dropped off by vehicle.

The pupils plan to compile a report for the school newsletter and wider publication from the data collected, which will also include photographs and background information.