On Monday, Dunedin City Council senior traffic engineer Ron Minnema sent a request to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) on behalf of the Chalmers Community Board for a temporary reduction in the speed limit on George St to 30kmh.
Contacted by The Star, Mr Minnema said the move had been prompted by concerns expressed by the community board and was aimed at ''risk minimisation for tourists and pedestrians''.
If granted, the temporary 30kmh speed restriction would run for about 220m from the crest of the hill to the entrance of Port Otago, and would be in place for a trial period from December 21 to February 28 next year, he said.
Port Chalmers Community Board chairman Steve Walker said safety concerns on George St had been a major issue ahead of the recent local body elections.
There was a strong desire among the Port business community to see a speed reduction and other safety measures introduced to enhance the ambience of the area, he said.
With 200,000 cruise ship visitors and crew now visiting Port Chalmers every year, along with buses and other transportation, as well as the traffic to the port, the road had become increasingly busy, Mr Walker said.
'There can be a constant stream of vehicles out here when the ships are in,'' Mr Walker said.
''As Port Chalmers becomes more vibrant, we want our visitors to feel safe and be safe,'' Mr Walker said.
The board was aware Port Otago was an ''important and vital local employer'' and understood it might have some concerns.
It was important to remember the proposed speed reduction was only temporary and was ''to all intents and purposes a fact-finding mission'' to ascertain the best compromise for the community and other concerned parties, he said.
Alongside the proposed speed reduction, NZTA is to enhance two pedestrian crossings on George St - one close to the Port Otago end and the other opposite the Port Chalmers supermarket.
Along with extending their width to 5m, the crossings will be made more visible and a central guard rail installed.
Work on the pedestrian crossings is projected to start before Christmas.
Port Otago chief executive Geoff Plunket did not wish to comment when contacted yesterday.
