The New Zealand Transport Agency has apologised to Port Chalmers residents after an oversight caused a lengthy delay in re-establishing a 30kmh speed limit in the town's main street.
The temporary 30kmh speed limit, which was popular with local people last summer, was due to be re-established on December 20.
However, locals have waited in vain for the signs to alert motorists to the reduced speed limit in George St.
Contacted by The Star, NZTA senior safety engineer Roy Johnston said the instructions for the temporary speed restrictions signs to go up were completed, but ''unfortunately an oversight on our part meant these instructions weren't passed on to our contractor [Downer].''
The agency became aware of the problem shortly before Christmas and tried to fix it but Downer had no signs in stock and the sign supplier only reopened this week. The situation was the result of human error, he said.
''We apologise for this error and will be doing our best to ensure it isn't repeated,'' Mr Johnston said.
He expected the signs would be up next week, he said.
The Star met Chalmers Community Board chairman Steve Walker and Vision Port Chalmers business association treasurer Fred Cross and secretary Jo Kidston earlier this week to discuss the impact of the delay.
Mr Walker said his phone had been running hot during the holiday period with calls and complaints from residents and business owners.
''I have had a huge amount of contact, particularly from local business people, who are frustrated that the 30kmh signs have not been up during the busy cruise ship season so far,'' Mr Walker said.
The lack of signs was disappointing for the community board, which had ''dotted the i's and crossed the t's'' to have the temporary speed limit reintroduced and had been left looking stupid, he said.
The temporary traffic management plan was approved by the Dunedin City Council in November and was to be implemented from December 20, 2014 to March 14, 2015. The Chalmers Community Board had contributed $1000 towards the cost of implementation.
Ms Kidston said the lack of action on installing signs made local people feel the safety of residents and cruise ship visitors was not being taken seriously.The reduced speed limit worked very well last year - everyone was very happy with it and really want it to become permanent,'' Ms Kidston said.
There had been a noticeable drop in the speeds of cars and trucks through the town, which reduced noise and dust, Ms Kidston said.
''We really need those signs there to remind people to slow down - it is important.''
Mr Cross was disappointed by the delay, saying the 30kmh speed limit made a ''significant difference'' to the town's main street.
''We have less noise, less debris from trucks and it is an important safety issue - everyone loved it last summer and wants it to be permanent,'' Mr Cross said.
With the potential for up to 4000 cruise ship passengers and crew to be moving around on foot in Port Chalmers during a cruise ship visit, it made sense for vehicles to travel more slowly, he said.
''They don't know our road rules or whether a vehicle is going to stop for them or not so it makes sense for everyone to have a bit more time to react.''
''The lower speed limit is a good way to achieve that.''
Cruise ship passengers were not the only ones needing protection - local children also benefited from the 30kmh speed limit, he said.
