Safely to school

First day pupils at the brand new Remarkables Primary School at Frankton can look forward to a safe trip to school next month, Queenstown Lakes District Council travel demand project manager Rae-Anne Kurucz said. 

“Walking to school has never been easier. A lot of work has been done to create safe walking routes to the new school,” she said. 

In preparation for the opening, new footpaths had been completed along Lake Avenue, a bus lay-by had been completed, pedestrian crossings (including a traffic light pedestrian crossing on SH6 had been installed), walking routes through right of ways had been established and parking management put in place.  

“We have had good support from the school which is keen to establish a ‘walk to school’ culture at the school from the outset, which will be quite a change for parents accustomed to driving to Queenstown each day,” Ms Kurucz said. 

To help encourage the ‘right’ travel behaviour in new students a walking school bus would also be established. 

“The council is assisting the school in educating children and caregivers about how to operate a walking bus and making safety gear available,” Ms Kurucz said. 

As the school role grew the council would continue to work with the school on a ‘school travel plan’ to encourage walking, school bus use, car pooling and in general increase the travel choices for students.