AUTSA throws support behind Symonds St safety petition

AUT’s student association has endorsed a petition launched by the editor of Craccum magazine calling for a safer Symonds St.

Representatives from the student association (AUTSA) will be present when the petition, which currently has more than 1100 signatures, is presented to Auckland Transport on June 24.

The petition was launched on April 4, less than a fortnight after the crash that left University of Auckland professor Dr Vinod Suresh critically injured.

AUTSA president Alicia Lemmer says the response to petition creator Lewis Creed’s request for support was delayed for good reason.

“When we receive open letters or requests for public support, we follow an internal process to ensure our response accurately reflects the student voice.

“Since receiving the letter, I’ve consulted with the Student Representative Council via email and messages, and I’m pleased to say the majority expressed their support.”

Creed, managing editor of Craccum, previously told TWN the support of AUT and AUTSA was critical to the campaign.

“If AUT's community backed this petition, we believe the signature goal could be at least doubled, adding twice the weight behind the movement and increasing the likelihood that Auckland Transport and the council will do something about pedestrian safety in our Learning Precinct.”

Asked for its stance, AUT did not specifically endorse the petition.

“AUT agrees safety for students and staff is a priority, we are happy to work with our students to raise issues through the Auckland City Centre Advisory Panel and other key organisations,” a statement from the university said.

The petition proposes several new safety measures to enforce the street’s 30 km/h speed limit. These include better and more visible signs, bollards, raised pedestrian crossings and speed cameras.

In an update posted to change.org, Creed says he and others behind the petition are focused most on speed bumps and raised pedestrian crossings.

“If installed, these anti-speeding measures would physically force drivers to slow down and maintain the 30 km/hr speed limit while driving past the AUT and UA city campuses.

“We will still include the other measures, such as signage and bollards, in the proposal.

“However, we don't think these will be as effective as physically altering the landscape of the road.”

Creed encourages anyone with suggestions to get in touch at managingeditor@craccum.co.nz.