Speed limit increases begin from Monday

Speed limits on seven sections of highway between Nelson and Blenheim will increase from Monday.

People travelling on State Highway 6 between Blenheim and Nelson will see new 100kmh speed limits on some sections of the road.

A NZTA/Waka Kotahi spokesperson acknowledges there are a "range of views" on speed from road users and communities.

The changes are the result of the Coalition Government’s updated speed limit rule that aimed to reverse the reductions which took place during the previous Labour administration.

Seven sections of highway in the Top of the South, from Marybank to Woodbourne, that were lowered in December 2020 were consulted on.

In each case, a majority of submitters favoured raising the speeds limits from a mix of 60, 80, and 90kmh back to 100kmh. The increases must be implemented by 1 July.

The Rule legalises the Government’s expectation that speed limits on New Zealand’s roads will be managed in a way that supports economic growth, boosts productivity, and enables people to get to where they are going quickly and safely.

Nelson MP Rachel Boyack slammed the decision, saying that a speed limit increase would result in more crashes.

“That’s on the Government,” she says. “If they want to make choices based on public opinion rather than evidence and science and safety for people, that is on them.”

Rachel thinks the lack of specific consideration given to the local community is “disrespectful” because it was people that lived in the area who knew the road the best.

“It’s their family members, their friends, who are the ones at risk.” A particular concern was the highway’s “dangerous” intersection with Glen Road.

NZTA reminds drivers that, while speed limits are increasing on this state highway corridor, 100kmh is the speed limit, it is not a target. People must drive to the conditions at all times and take proper care when travelling the route.

For the section of road at Woodbourne, there was an error in what was showed during consultation.  The section west of Jacksons Rd, Woodbourne to east of SH6/SH63 Intersection, Renwick was changed to 80 kmh prior to 2020, which means this section will stay at 80 kmh. The section between west of Rose St, Blenheim to west of Jacksons Rd, Woodbourne will be changed to 100 kmh.

The outcome of the speed reviews for SH6 Marybank and Wakefield are being finalised and will be shared soon.