After more than 10 years of submissions, a lower speed limit past Oropi School and a new footpath will be put in place following approval by Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

Oropi School principal Andrew King is pleased council has approved the school's submissions.

The proposal by Oropi School to lower the speed limit past the school, from 70km to 50km, and create a new footpath was approved by the council, which agrees the improvements will make the area safer for children.

Although there have been no serious incidents outside the school, Oropi School principal Andrew King says there has been plenty of near misses.

'It's always been an issue the speed limit. A major concern is during the pickup and drop off times.

'We have parents who need to turn around on the road and it means they're doing U-turns on the 70km strip which is not very good.”

He says the biggest concern during school time is when staff walk children down to the hall.

'It's about a 400 metre walk and the children need to walk on the side of the road, there's no footpath.”

Since 2001, Oropi School has entered three submissions and fronted council asking for the speed limit to be reduced.

Andrew also requested a footpath to be built from the school to the Oropi Community Hall where the children walk to almost every day for activities.

The school continued to approach council until Andrew says their submission was 'thankfully” heard in 2011.

Two years later Andrew says council has approved the school's submissions.

Final submissions are being heard by council for those against the building of the footpath and speed reduction, although Andrew says it is 'highly unlikely” anyone will object.