31 May 2024
Spencer H
[email address]
Dear Spencer H
Request for Information – Local Government Official Information and Meetings
Act (the Act) 1987
We refer to your request of 11 May 2024 for:
Please provide any consultation and decision documents related to the
raised pedestrian crossing outside Taita Col ege. Of particular interest is
any data and/or supporting research used in the assessment and decision
making identifying the need for a second crossing within a few hundred
metres and any surveying completed for ‘risk’ behaviours such as speed
monitoring and infringements, crashes or near misses that justified the use
of a raised crossing as opposed to another crossing design.
Response:
1. Initial Request from Ministry of Education (MOE): An incident occurred where a Taita
College student was seriously injured while crossing Eastern Hutt Road near the bus
stops.
The Ministry of Education requested Hutt City Council's assistance in improving
student safety measures, particularly regarding exit points from the school and
pedestrian access to bus stops.
2. Hutt City Council Investigation: Council acknowledged the existing primary
crossing but recognised the need for a secondary crossing point due to:
• Back entrance of the school grounds
• Frequent use of the playground on weekends
• Proximity to a marae and bus stops
30 Laings Road, Lower Hutt
Private Bag 31912, Lower Hutt 5040
/huttcitycouncil
0800 488 824
[email address]
www.huttcity.govt.nz
▲The pattern at the top of this page is inspired by the natural landforms, hil s, river, and coastline surrounding Lower Hutt. It represents our people, our place, and our home.
3. Design Consultation: A conceptual design for a raised pedestrian crossing was
developed and consultation was undertaken with:
• Taita Col ege representatives
• Nearby residents
• Local businesses.
4. Taita Col ege Response: The col ege principal expressed appreciation for the
proposed crossing and its potential to improve safety for the school community.
The col ege highlighted their redevelopment plans, including the need to ensure
optimal placement of the crossing in relation to the upcoming construction.
Agreement was reached on the concept of a raised pedestrian crossing at the
northern end by the bus stop.
5. Final Crossing Location: Council collaborated with Taita College to determine the
final placement of the crossing, resulting in its current location.
6. Existing Crossing Upgrade: The col ege also requested an upgrade to the existing
primary crossing and Council advised the request would be included in a future
works program for further investigation.
7. Rationale for Additional Crossing: While a primary crossing exists, the new raised
crossing addresses a secondary desire line for student movement towards the
playground, marae, and bus stops. This additional safety measure is intended to
mitigate risks associated with the specific road layout and doesn’t intend to replace
the primary pedestrian crossing.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response to your information request may be published on
Hutt City Council’s website. Please refer to the following link:
www.huttcity.govt.nz/council/contactus/make-an-official-information-act-
request/proactive-releases
Yours sincerely
Philip Rossiter
Senior Advisor, Official Information and Privacy
Document Name / XX Month XXXX / Version XX
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