South Wairarapa District Council today agreed the district’s Speed Management Plan (The Plan) to be submitted to the Director of Land Transport for approval. The Plan will bring into effect a number of speed limit changes throughout the district, most notably across:

• Peri-urban roads with high cycling and pedestrian activity – these are roads that provide access from properties on the urban fringe but generally have a lower density than urban residential locations.
• Coastal settlement roads – these are residential and neighbourhood streets with high pedestrian activity with no footpaths and includes Cape Palliser Road.
• Unsealed roads – often referred to as gravel or dirt roads, these roads account for approximately 30% of South Wairarapa’s roading network.

Consultation on the proposed changes took place for six weeks through June and July, where 220 submissions were received. 15 people spoke to their submission at Hearings earlier this month.

The Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024 (The Rule) provides Road Controlling Authorities with ways to set speed limits including via optional speed management plans, which must be certified by the Director of Land Transport, or via the alternative method, which also needs the Director’s approval.  

Elected members deliberated on the recommendations, to ensure a safe and balanced approach to speed for people moving throughout the district. While the majority of the proposed speed limit changes were adopted, the following amendments were made:

• Regent Street in Martinborough will change from 100km/h to 50km/h between New York Street and Puruatanga Road. 
• The sections of Cape Palliser Road that were proposed to move to 80km/h will remain at 100km/h.
• Whangaimoana Beach Road, proposed to move from 100km/h to 40km/h, will move to 60km/h.
• Officers will investigate the option to implement a pilot trail for variable speeds for Huangarua Road, Puruatanaga Road, Martins Road and surrounds during peak periods of cycling and walking.

The Plan will be implemented in phases upon approval from the Director of Land Transport.