South Wairarapa District Council [SWDC] and Carterton District Council [CDC] have started public consultation on a wide-ranging draft speed management plan and review.
The proposals potentially affect the speed limits on many secondary roads in both districts.
The two councils are asking for feedback on the joint draft plan to lower speed limits around several schools and marae, as well as a speed limit review on a raft of high-priority roads.
Road Controlling Agencies [which include councils] are now required to have speed management plans.
The consultation started on Friday and will run until July 23.
More than 40 listed roads, including parts of roads, in Carterton district are in the consultation document, with a few speeds recommended to remain.
Proposed speed reductions include parts of Carters Line from 100kph to 80kph, Hughes Line from 100kph to 60kph, Kokotau Rd from 100kph to 80kph, and part of Ponatahi Rd from 100kph to 80kph.
There are also seven “proposed permanent speed limits with local priority” in Greytown, five in Featherston, and 20 in Martinborough.
The proposals include reducing the speed to 30kph in parts of Jellicoe St, Cork St, Cambridge Rd and around the Square in Martinborough.
There are 19 on the list of roads in other parts of South Wairarapa. Portions of Cape Palliser Rd are recommended to reduce in speed from 100kph to 80kph or 60kph. Cape Palliser Rd between 250m northwest of Tilson Avenue and 105m south of Seaview Avenue, is recommended to reduce to 30kph.
Other roads mentioned include Lake Ferry Rd, Ponatahi Rd, Western Lake Rd, and Te Miha Crescent.
The draft speed management plan and speed review consultation statement of proposal sets out more detail.
Feedback is asked for on the proposed speed reductions on the above non-exclusive list of high-priority roads.
Crash data for roads in the two districts between 2012–2021 was reviewed. Roads with three or more serious or fatal crashes in this period were considered to be high priority.
People are asked if there are other roads they think should be included in the speed review, with reasons for possible inclusion.
In addition, up to 14 schools and five marae are listed in the documents.
An interim plan, to take effect in mid-2024, potentially impacts six urban schools and two rural schools in South Wairarapa and four urban and two rural schools in Carterton. The proposal would lower speed limits to 30 kph around urban schools, and impose a 60kph variable speed limit for rural schools in South Wairarapa, and either a 30kph permanent or variable speed limit for schools in Carterton.
Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae in Carterton would have a proposed permanent lower speed limit with a variable speed limit during events. South Wairarapa would have a fulltime limit around Pāpāwai Marae and Hau Ariki Marae, and a variable zone during events for Kohunui Marae. One marae in Carterton will also have a variable speed limit during events.
A joint statement from the two councils on Friday said they are working with Waka Kotahi on establishing safe and appropriate speed limits outside all schools and marae by the end of 2027.
“While these speed restrictions are required by law, we are also asking for feedback on a list of “high priority” roads. These have been identified in a speed review or drawn from historic safety concerns from residents and elected members,” the statement said.
“Our plans align with the Government’s Road to Zero strategy that was launched in 2019 with the goal of a 40per cent reduction in road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
“We have taken a staged approach to speed management, with our initial focus on roads around schools, marae and those roads assessed as high priority,” the statement said.
The two councils want public feedback on the proposals, including if other roads – including gravel roads – should be included.
Consultation closes at 5pm on July 23. More information is on the councils’ websites. Submission forms are available from local libraries, council offices, or online at www.swdc.govt.nz/consultation or www.cdc.govt.nz/haveyoursay
Also available on the councils’ sites is a copy of the Draft Speed Management Plan and Speed Review Consultation Statement of Proposal, which includes the full list of roads that speed changes are proposed for. – NZLDR
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Check out what Mike Butterick has had to say about this.
Bit like all the fu**** road cones every where,soon they’ll(pricks who make the stupid rules)will suggest we put them around our driveways for some dumb reason.abit like ,ban alcohol and that might go along way to cutting down the road toll,o no,we can’t have that.thats too fu**** sensibal.blow every thing up and start again.lol 😂😆😆😆
I totally agree. The land of the long line of cars pretty much sums it up in a nut shell.
I’m sick of a minority that them selves can’t drive to save them selves have the biggest frikn say.
Come on people do what the French do. Enough is enough. If you can’t drive at.100ks than get a God damn push bike bike.
You can go as slow as you like than lol.The vast majority of drivers are damn good.
This is just getting absolutely ridiculous lowering all the speeds on every road ,most of the time the speed isn’t the problem, drivers need to be educated not to make stupid manoeuvers that cause accidents ,not just slam restrictions everywhere , we will be the land of the long traffic lines 🙄
I’ve seen bicycles go faster than cars these days .
The vast (silent) majority agree Michael, personally I am just plain embarrassed at allowing this woke idealogy to adversely impact our society.
Why are these speed restrictions occurring on rural roads 🤔 when speed cameras 📷 can be placed on black spot areas and signed posted so speeders will slow down. Speed cameras where introduced for that purpose not for revenue collection?. The police 🚔 cannot be everywhere to in force suggested speed limits on rural roads. You will always get young idiots on the road you just hope 🙏 they grow up and 99% do.