Every morning and afternoon 170 primary-aged children are dropped off and collected from Ramarama School on Ararimu Road. The area for drop off and pick up outside the school is severely restricted by the front boundary of the school to the south and Ararimu Road to the north. Until recently this had the potential for a serious accident.
Cars arrived, parked, delivered children, and left the vicinity in a very tight ten to fifteen minute timeframe.
At a Ramarama residents’ meeting in 2007, concerns were raised about the safety of children outside the school during these times. Steve Ellis and Alison Hunter from Stevenson met with Principal Alan Lyth.
He confirmed that for many years the school community had been requesting a safer option for this activity. Progress had been hindered by a lack of financial resources.
Keen to do something for the local community, Stevenson offered to co-ordinate and fund the development of additional car parking within the school grounds. The plan was to incorporate a one-way entry/exit system.
With the assistance of Peters and Cheung, Consulting Engineers, and Gleeson and Cox, Cartage Contractors, both of whom provided their services free of charge, work began on the design and construction of the new car parking area, using quarry aggregates donated by Stevenson.
The Franklin District Council eased the way by providing consent in a short time frame. This ennabled Adrian Tizard from Mr Shifter Earthmovers to do the construction work during the Christmas period when the school was closed.
Principal Alan Lyth publicly acknowledged Stevenson’s support in the school newsletter.
‘The car parking works very effectively and has been a hugely positive addition to the school infrastructure. Parents and staff have commented on how much better they feel about their children’s safety at pick up and drop off times.’
We were also delighted to learn that the Franklin District Council’s association with the project will continue. It is working with the school to make the side of the road opposite the school a no parking zone to further reduce the risk of accidents.
Stevenson is proud to have been associated with this project, and with all those who helped to make the new facility a reality: Peters & Cheung, Mr Shifter, Gleeson and Cox and Franklin District Council.
We will continue to work with the local community to ensure an environment which is safe for everybody.
