TWO Bourke Street school zones will merge next week forming one continuous 40 kilometre an hour stretch for about two kilometres.
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The current 400 metres between Leavenworth Drive and McKell Avenue will become a school zone, which will slow down traffic during school hours from Red Hill Road to Fernleigh Road.
Transport for NSW south west director Lindsay Tanner said a review of Bourke Street's crash history, nearby development and traffic mix and volumes led to the decision to extend the speed zone.
Mr Tanner said the change intends to improve safety for motorists travelling to and from Wagga schools.
"The change will provide a 40 kilometre an hour school zone for the length of Bourke Street which is an area with four schools and a heavy population of young pedestrians," he said.
"The extension of the existing 40 kilometre an hour zone will provide a safer road environment for all road users with an increase in travel time of about 12 seconds."
In other news:
The new speed limit will take effect from March 4.
Mount Austin Public School parent Melissa Smith said she supported the extension if it made it safer for students using the pedestrian crossing outside the school.
However, Ms Smith said the main issue lies with reckless driving.
Despite pedestrians given right of way at crossings, Ms Smith said she noticed many drivers wait until the last second to brake and it was too dangerous.
She said safety on Bourke Street could not improve until motorists change their attitude on the city's roads.
Wagga councillor and traffic committee member Dan Hayes said one continuous school zone was ideal because it will clear up confusion about the speed limits on Bourke Street.
"It changes multiple times along that street and this provides certainty on where the zones are rather than drivers getting out of one and speeding up to 60 and five seconds later back down to 40," he said.
Cr Hayes said that while it might be a small inconvenience for some drivers, the extension will provide a better outcome for pedestrians and motorists alike.