The NZ Transport Agency this week confirmed it would consult the public over whether to reduce the 50kmh speed limit along George St, Port Chalmers, in time for the start of summer.
The assurance came at the West Harbour Community Board meeting, during an update from NZTA journey manager Peter Brown, board member and councillor Aaron Hawkins said.
The timeline given would see consultation with stakeholders beginning next week, followed by public submissions in August and any change introduced in time for summer.
Cr Hawkins said even having a timeline was a "huge relief, given this has dragged on for as long as it has".
The latest development followed a long campaign by members of the public to lower the speed limit to 30kmh, resulting in a council resolution calling for the speed limit to be lowered before October 2019.
The campaign saw protesters stopping trucks at a pedestrian crossing at the Port Otago end of George St, holding up signs saying "30km".
They wanted a permanent 30kmh speed limit to protect pedestrians, cruise ship passengers and the main street's heritage buildings from damage.
However, it was not yet clear whether the NZTA proposal to be released for consultation would include a specific lower limit, and if so what the number would be, or if the public would just be asked if they wanted to see a reduction.
Board chairman Steve Walker said, despite the lingering uncertainty, the commitment from the agency was "a great outcome for community pressure, political pressure and sensibility."
An NZTA spokeswoman, contacted yesterday, could only say it was working to identify state highways "where lower speed limits could make a big difference in preventing deaths and serious injuries, and where communities are calling for change".
She could not give specifics on the process in Port Chalmers, but some centres would be prioritised over others.
"All communities will have a chance to give their feedback on any proposed speed limit changes in their area."
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Unsure if Hawkins sits on the board or just an advisor what ever way it is a conflict of interest , as he lives in the area and should not be part of this board or in the picture, Sure he will know the area well etc etc but it is still a conflict of interest and any outcome will be bias if he has a say or not, Thos on the board who live in the area will not want to annoy a councillor. It may sound like nit picking however if this is allowed then what else in the DCC has conflicts of interests. Another Councillor should be sitting on the board if needed at all. kind of like the old school network.