A campaign to improve road safety outside Halswell School has paid off, following a petition presented to Parliament by local councillor Andrei Moore.

More than 1,500 people signed the petition calling for immediate action to stop vehicles turning right across traffic during school pick-up and drop-off times on State Highway 75.

The manoeuvre has long caused disruption and danger for the school patrol and pedestrians.

Moore said the petition urged authorities to prioritise short-term safety measures while beginning work on a longer-term fix for the intersection.

“They’ve agreed to do both,” he said. “NZTA has met with Christchurch City Council staff on site and will now undertake interim changes including new signage, driver education, and tweaks to parking spaces around the crossing where appropriate.”

Moore confirmed the New Zealand Transport Agency will also consider a full redesign of the intersection as part of its next State Highway Investment Proposal, which guides long-term safety planning.

“This won’t be a quick process, but it’s the first and most important step. The project is now officially on their radar, and the community’s views have been made clear and sent to the right place,” Moore said.

Banks Peninsula MP Vanessa Weenink, who supported the petition and arranged a site visit with former Transport Minister Simeon Brown, welcomed the outcome.

“Huge kudos to Andrei Moore, who continues to advocate for Halswell and get things done,” she said.

Weenink said it was critical that both Christchurch City Council and the NZ Transport Agency had now agreed to act, with short-term safety upgrades and a long-term solution both on the table.