Public to be asked about proposed speed limit reductions


More road speed reductions are being proposed for Port Chalmers.

Public consultation over whether to reduce the 50kmh speed limit in George St, Port Chalmers, will start next month.

It is not clear if the NZ Transport Agency's proposal will include a specific lower limit, and if so what that will be, or if the public will just be asked if they want to see a reduction.

As the street is part of State Highway 88 any changes are the responsibility of the NZTA.

The Dunedin City Council has also proposed reducing the speed limit to 40kmh in streets approaching George St and public consultation on those changes will coincide with that of the NZTA.

Changes are proposed for sections of Wickliffe Tce, Borlases Rd, Albertson Ave, Grey St and Beach St which connect with George St.

The council said the changes would support those being proposed by the NZTA and ensure consistent, safe and appropriate speeds through the town centre.

Residents have long campaigned to have the speed limit along the main street reduced to 30kmh.

Port Otago maintains a voluntary 30kmh speed limit for trucks in the area and a temporary 30kmh speed limit was in place last summer.

George St in Port Chalmers. Image: Google Maps
George St in Port Chalmers. Image: Google Maps

West Harbour Community Board deputy chairman Trevor Johnson said the proposed changes were a victory for Port Chalmers residents, who had campaigned for years to get the speed limit reduced.

"It's particularly good in light of the increasing cruise ship season because we've got a lot of pedestrians in Port Chalmers during those times."

While many residents would probably want the council to propose it be reduced to 30kmh, any decrease would be an improvement, Mr Johnson said.

Once public consultation had finished the changes would have to go through a speed bylaw committee before finally being approved by the council later this year.

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