New speed limits for nearly 60 roads

Speed changes are coming into force across Central Otago. FILE PHOTO: NZ HERALD
Speed changes are coming into force across Central Otago. FILE PHOTO: NZ HERALD
Close to 60 roads across Central Otago will have speed limits reduced, and variable speed limits for most schools will be introduced, the Central Otago District Council has decided.

Last Wednesday, the council accepted recommendations from the Speed Limit Hearing Panel, after the panel met in April to discuss public feedback on the changes.

Consultant Andy Bartlett said the places where limits had been reduced were chosen from community feedback and the council’s response to Safer Speeds Around Schools — a framework which was made optional by the new government.

Once the new speed limits are in place, most school zones will have a variable speed limit of 30kmh immediately before and after school — Poolburn School will have a variable limit of 60kmh during set times.

All school zones will return to their existing speed limit outside of these times — the speed limit will be indicated with digital signage.

The framework aimed to "bring speeds [around schools] down to levels that are considered survivable in the event of a crash," Mr Bartlett said.

"We’ve been very clear that this plan does not consider blanket changes and has actually looked to remove anything that could have been considered a blanket change."

Cr Neil Gillespie questioned why Bannockburn Rd and Pearson Rd, near Cromwell, were kept at the existing speed limit of 100km/h, when council staff had recommended the limits be reduced to 80km/h.

During consultation, 45 submissions were in support of the speed reduction in the Cromwell South area, while 30 opposed them.

Cr Tamah Alley, who sits on the speed panel, said Bannockburn Rd had been thoroughly discussed by the panel.

"The biggest determining factor for the hearings panel in terms of that road was the use of the road corridor by pedestrians and bikes alongside cars."

Pedestrians and bikes could use the path alongside Bannockburn Rd, which was not possible for other roads in the area, she said.

The final speed management plan will be certified and entered into the National Speed Limit Register and road users will be notified about new speed limits over a 4-week period before they come into effect.