Proposed changes to speed limits

Submissions closed on 20 March 2024, 11:59 PM

A speed limit sign with speed limit review wording
We are completing a review of our speed limits to provide safer roads for all road users – and we want your feedback.

The review will determine appropriate speed limits on local roads and prioritise areas with the highest needs first – schools – and district locations where informal and/or inappropriate speed limits are already in place.

Good speed management is fundamental to road safety, which is recognised internationally as the most effective way to reduce deaths and serious injuries.

The work initially began as the result of the previous government’s – and Waka Kotahi NZTA – requirements to reduce speed limits around schools and to formalise a number of existing unofficial speed limits within the district.

Submissions closed on Wednesday, 20 March 2024.

What's happened so far

In November last year, our Strategy and Policy Committee approved consultation with the community around these speed limits. At that time Waka Kotahi NZTA required all road controlling authorities to have achieved speed reductions in around 40% of all district schools before the end of June this year.

Since then councils have been informed that the government is reviewing the previous Land Transport Rule and the June deadline no longer applies.

We have decided to continue as planned under the Traffic and Speed Limits Bylaw 2017 which requires a Statement of Proposal to be adopted (this was adopted by the Strategy and Policy Committee on 15 February 2024).

It is proposed that any changes to speed limits will be adopted by 30 June 2027.

Raised platform outside Durie Hill School on Portal Street School speed limits

School speed limits are a way of managing vehicle speeds in these areas.

Speed limits contribute significantly to the overall road safety outside schools. 

Safe and appropriate speed limits create a safer environment for all road users and significantly reduce the risk of serious harm or death in the event of an accident.

It is known that 30km/h is the highest speed at which a pedestrian and car collision is usually survivable. In some cases, a lower safe and appropriate speed limit will be made in combination with other (supporting) infrastructure like raised platforms and/or speed humps.

What are the options for school speed limits? 

School speed limits (reducing speed limits near schools to 30km/h or 40km/h depending on location)

 

Advantages

Disadvantages

Reducing speed limits around schools

  • Slower speeds around schools
  • Creates safer environment for students, school staff and visitors/parents
  • Provides a safe and appropriate speed limit
  • Reduces the chances of serious injury or death from accidents
  • Encourages active transport modes for school students
  • Cost of implementing signage changes
  • Minimal increase to vehicle trip times
  • Cost of implementing signage changes
  • Minimal increase to vehicle trip times

 

Not reducing speed limits around schools

  • Requires no changes to the bylaw
  • No cost

 

  • Higher risk of serious injury or death as a result of accident
  • Existing speed limits are not considered safe or appropriate for school environment

Unofficial and inappropriate speed limits

Unofficial speed limits are those where a speed limit is in place but is not legally enforceable. An example of this is within the grounds of aged-care facilities where a speed limit is posted but has no formal recognition and is not legally enforceable. This includes areas like Jane Winstone Retirement Village, Kowhainui, Mowhanau Holiday Park, Castlecliff Golf Club and Springvale sports complexes. 

Inappropriate speed limits are where the current posted speed limit is not appropriate for the road conditions or nearby activities. Examples include roads within Springvale Park, Pukenamu Queen's Park, Landguard Road and Aramoho Cemetery.

What are the options for unofficial and inappropriate speed limits?

 

Advantages

Disadvantages

Formalise unofficial speed limits (preferred option)

  • Slower speeds
  • Creates safer environment for all road user types
  • Provides a safe and appropriate speed limit
  • Reduces the chances of serious injury or death from accidents
  • Encourages active transport modes for users
  • Cost of implementing signage changes
  • Minimal increase to vehicle trip times

Retain existing speed limits (status quo)

  • Requires no changes to bylaw
  • No cost
  • Higher risk of serious injury or death as a result of accident
  • Existing speed limits are not considered safe or appropriate for the locations under consideration

Consultation and submissions

You can make a submission online here or download a print version(PDF, 201KB) of the submission form. Alternatively, submission forms are available from council customer services at 101 Guyton Street, the Davis Library in Pukenamu Queen’s Park and the Gonville Library, Abbott Street.

Please indicate whether you would like to speak to your submission and include contact details. Those who wish to be heard by the council will have the opportunity to present their submissions. Submissions close on Wednesday, 20 March 2024.

The hearing of submissions is scheduled for Wednesday, 10 April 2024 at the main council building at 101 Guyton Street.

Frequently asked questions