Further public comment invited on new speed limits

The date has been set for further public comment on the effects of the lower speed limits on rural roads around the district.

The Safe Speed Area, which generally reduces the speed limit from 100km/h to 80 km/h was put in place in March 2014, following a public consultation process in late 2013. This Safe Speed Area includes approximately 78 kilometres of roads which represents around 5% of the District's roading network. Council figures show that the roads in the Safe Speed Area contributed to 24% of the District's road fatalities over the last five years.

Mayor Lawrence Yule says “Council received a considerable amount of feedback, some positive some negative, when the new speed limits came into effect in March and Councillors voted in May to reopen the discussion with the community. The lower speed limits were introduced in an effort to make our rural roads safer and it will be very interesting to hear from the community about the effects of the new limits.”

During the consultation period, public feedback will also be sought on the simplification of some wording in the Speed Limits Bylaw 2012 and the correction of two anomalies at Waipatiki and Chesterhope Road, so that the bylaw gives the same speed as that signposted.

Public consultation on the speed limits and the bylaw begins on Saturday 19th July 2014 and will end on Monday 22nd September 2014. Submissions will then be collated and there will be a chance for submitters to speak to Council on their submissions. Council officers will then compile a report including the public feedback and this will be presented to Council later in the year.

Information on the speed limit changes and submission forms will be available on www.myvoicemychoice.co.nz. Submission forms will also be available at Hastings District Libraries and Council’s Service Centre in Lyndon Road.

Public information days are to be held at the Havelock North CBD (Monday 28th July), Hastings CBD (Tuesday 29th July) and Flaxmere Village (Wednesday 30th July). There will also be a public information evening in the Council Foyer (Thursday 1st August).

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