Safer speed limits are being introduced outside Western Bay of Plenty schools, with the first stage of the council’s new school speed sign programme now underway.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council has begun installing static variable speed signs outside six schools in the district, with the changes set to take effect over the coming week.

The schools included in the first rollout are Matahui School, Ōmokoroa Point School, OneSchool Global (Ōropi), Ōropi School, Paengaroa School and Te Kura o Te Moutere o Matakana, the council said in a statement.

The new signage will enforce a reduced speed limit of 30km/h during school drop-off and pick-up times, reverting to the usual speed limits outside those periods.

The reduced speed zones will extend around 150m to 300m on either side of school gates.

The programme will be delivered in two stages, with the initial phase involving static signs displaying the times the lower speed applies.

A second stage, expected to begin in July, will introduce electronic variable speed signs at a further 19 schools across the district.

These signs will automatically activate during peak school periods.

Installation at Te Kura o Maketū will follow later in the year because of ongoing roadworks in the area.

The rollout is part of a nationwide programme linked to the Government’s Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024, which requires councils to implement variable speed limits outside schools by July 1.

Western Bay road safety engineer Queenie Cao said the changes were particularly important for rural schools.

“Many Western Bay schools are in rural areas where speed limits are higher, so the variable signs are especially important to help slow traffic at the most critical times of the school day,” Cao said.

“We’re asking drivers to be aware and adjust their speed around school drop-off and pick-up times. It’s a simple change, but it makes a big difference to keeping children safe around schools.”

Council said the rollout will continue progressively over the coming months, with a mix of static and electronic signs used depending on location.

More information on the updated speed management plan is available at yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz