It’s happening! Our new school kea crossing is now fully operational from Monday morning. Each day the kea crossing will be supervised by an adult and operated by the two tamariki. Whether you are driving a vehicle or using the kea crossing here are the rules.

Vehicles approaching the kea crossing.

All vehicles approaching the kea crossing MUST slow down prior to the STOP signs entering the road, the road patrol member will gesture to you a hand stop signal. Your vehicle must stop behind the white line road marking before the kea crossing.

Pedestrians using the kea crossing

Once the kea crossing has been set up, it needs to operate quickly, smoothly and efficiently to minimise traffic disruptions and delays. Any pedestrian waiting to cross must stand well back from the STOP sign so that the patrol members have a clear view of the road. The patrol member positioned at the kindergarten roadside is the leader for calling the kea crossing commands.

On School Road Patrol operates the crossing in four steps

1. Any pedestrian waiting to cross must stand well back from the STOP sign so that the patrol members have a clear view of the road. The patrol member positioned at the kindergarten roadside is the leader for calling the kea crossing commands.

2. The patrol members check approaching traffic. When there is a suitable gap the leader calls “Signs out.” In unison both patrol members swing the stop signs onto the roadway. The leader calls “Check” and both patrol members look to make sure that any approaching vehicles are going to stop.

3. The second patrol member confirms that traffic is slowing or has stopped by calling “clear” the leader then calls “cross now" and both patrol members lower their left arms

4. At this point, the pedestrians use the kea crossing. As the last pedestrian enters the crossing the patrol member raises their left arm to prevent latecomers trying to cross. When the last pedestrian reaches the footpath or curbsides extension, the leader then calls “signs in” and both members lower their left arms and swing in their signs

Finally, just a friendly reminder about road rules. It is illegal to park on the curbside broken yellow lines or drive through the kea crossing when one stop sign is across the road. With the operation of our kea crossing such instances will now be photographed and reported. Also, as part of ensuring that the kea crossing is safe and fit for purpose, there will be an increased presence of Hutt City Council parking wardens during the next few weeks.

We are looking forward to the opening of the new kea crossing on Monday and once again my appreciation to the parents who have volunteered on behalf of our community to be our adult supervisors.