South Wairarapa and Carterton District councils are asking for feedback on our interim Speed Management Plan that proposes to lower the speed limit around several schools and marae, and a speed limit review on some of our high priority roads.
We’re working with Waka Kotahi on safe and appropriate speed limits outside all schools and marae by the end of 2027.
While these speed restrictions are required by law, we are also asking for feedback on a list of “high priority” roads. These have been identified in a speed review or drawn from historic safety concerns from residents and elected members.
Why are we doing this?
Our plans align with the Government’s Road to Zero strategy that was launched in 2019 with the goal of a 40% reduction in road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
The addition of the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limit 2022 and direction from Waka Kotahi (New Zealand Transport Agency) mean we must create a 10-year Speed Management Plan that sets out our approach for managing speed and safety, including goals, speed limit changes for the roading network and engineering improvements.
We have taken a staged approach to speed management, with our initial focus on roads around schools, marae and those roads assessed as high priority. Our plans involve 14 schools and four marae in the South Wairarapa and Carterton districts.
We plan to have the new reduced speed restrictions on schools and marae in place by mid-2024. According to the new rules, speed limits around urban schools are in most cases dropping to 30km/hr and, for rural schools, to 60km/hr, either permanently or variably. Variable speed limits in this case means reduced speeds during school hours.
Roads around early childhood centres in Carterton District are also up for review. The changes proposed involve both lowering of speed limits in some places as well as safety improvements, particularly focused on signage.
We are asking for public feedback on changes to the speed limits on a list of high priority roads in our districts. Your feedback will be assessed and may be incorporated in the interim plan along with schools and marae.
We also want to hear if you think any other roads – including gravel roads – should be included.
How can I have my say?
Our consultation period opens on 23 June and closes at 5pm on 23 July. To find out more, see our websites and grab a submission form from your local library or council office, or submit online at www.swdc.govt.nz/consultation/ or www.cdc.govt.nz/haveyoursay
Process stages
- Submissions open 23 June 2023
- Submissions close 23 July 2023, 5.00pm
- Hearing dates to be confirmed separately by SWDC and CDC
- Separate Council deliberations on public feedback.
- Revised Speed Management Plan adopted by each council
- Speed limit changes submitted to Waka Kotahi
Where can I find out more?
There is more information on our websites under consultations including
- the Consultation Document
- A report on the proposed interim plan
- A technical report by Tonkin and Taylor
- An interactive map of all the proposed road changes
To fill in an online submission, please go to https://www.surveylegend.com/s/50l6
