15 October 2014

Speed limit reductions for Rotorua roads

Speed limits are to be reduced on a number of Rotorua roads to improve public safety.

The new speed limit bylaw amendments were approved at a meeting of Rotorua District Council’s Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee on Tuesday (14 October) following a period of public consultation.

The new approved speed limits are:
• Fenton Street - 50kph, reduced from 60kph (from Sala St to Malfroy Rd)
• Tarawera Road - 50kph, from 70kph (from roundabout to just past Lynmore Ave)
• Tarawera Road - 50kph, from 100kph (Blue Lake, from DoC entrance to Okareka Loop Rd)
• Otamarae Road - 50kph, from 100kph (Maniatutu Rd to 1060m south of Vercoe Pl)
• Wharenui Road - 50kph, from 100kph (from Porikapa Rd)
• Hamurama Road - 80kph, from 100kph (200m west of Kaska Rd to 100m east of Te Waerenga Rd)

The changes all relate to sections of roads where local residents have identified excessive traffic speed as a community safety concern.

Council Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee chair and People Strategy portfolio lead, Councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, said the council had listened to the community’s concerns, and roading engineers had investigated a range of options. Rotorua Police, the Automobile Association and New Zealand Transport Agency had also been consulted as part of the process.

Mrs Raukawa-Tait said she expected particular interest in reducing the current 60kph limit on Fenton Street down to 50kph, something which has been advocated by the Rotorua Association of Motels.

"The reality is that speeds have reduced along Fenton Street since a number of roundabouts were installed as crash reduction measures. So the new 50kph speed limit comes into line with actual existing speed and won't mean much change for most people.”

The new speed limits are expected to come into effect by the end of November, once new signage is installed.

ENDS

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