Western Bay speed limit proposals out for public feedback

Speed reductions around Western Bay schools are among proposed speed limit changes out for public feedback.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council is undertaking a partial review of its speed limits bylaw and is proposing a 40km/h variable speed limit around seven urban schools at peak opening and closing times. Additionally, Council is looking to install permanent active warning signs at five rural schools to encourage motorists to reduce speed during peak opening and closing times.

Variable limits, set at 40km/h, are proposed around the school zones of Katikati Primary, Katikati College, Waihi Beach, Oropi, Maketu, Paengaroa and Te Puke Intermediate schools.

Active warning advisory speed signs are proposed at Rangiuru, Pongakawa, Omokoroa No 1, Whakamarama and Pukehina schools.

Council’s Deputy CEO and Infrastructure Manager Gary Allis says all the proposals are directly in response to requests from the community from which Council’s Policy Committee requested a partial review of speed limits.

“We have had numerous requests for speed limit changes around schools since the last review in 2015.

“The proposed changes take into consideration the environment around each of the schools. Some are best suited for variable speed limits set at 40km/h and others are better suited for active warning signs to raise motorists awareness they are entering a rural school zone,” says Gary.

In addition to the proposals for schools, Council has a number of speed limit changes to 38 roads across the District – with the exception of any state highways which are not under Council’s jurisdiction.

These changes are also in response to community requests, which were subject to technical assessment by Council’s roading staff. The proposed speed changes are influenced by residential subdivision growth and increased traffic on Council’s roading network.

Other proposed changes in the review include a default speed limit of 50km/h for all urban traffic areas. This means all new roads created as a result of subdivision would default to 50km/h rather than requiring a bylaw review process to set the speed limit.

The proposals are part of a partial (not a whole-of network) review of Council’s bylaw. Council will do a comprehensive review of speed limits following Government finalising pending changes to the legislation governing the way councils set speed limits.

The Draft Speed Limit Bylaw 2020 will be out for public consultation from Monday 3 August until Friday 4 September 2020.

To read the full Draft Speed Limits Bylaw 2020, view which roads are under review and provide feedback visit: https://haveyoursay.westernbay.govt.nz/speedlimits