Speed limit changes proposed for Motueka town centre

Slower speeds and extended school zones have been proposed for Motueka’s town centre.

Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency opened public consultation on Monday, outlining proposed changes including an extended school zone and a drop from 50kmph to 30kmph along some sections of High St.

The proposed school zone would stretch 55m south of Courtney St to the existing school variable speed sign 40m south of Old Wharf Rd.

The school zone speed limit is proposed to operate 35 minutes before school starts and from 20 minutes at the end of the school day. It could also operate for 10 minutes when vehicles are entering or leaving school grounds.

A speed limit drop is also proposed from 50kmph 30kmph from 35m south of the Whakarewa St intersection to 85m south of the Poole St intersection.

“Making sure speed limits are safe and appropriate for the road and its surroundings is one of the most effective things we can do to help prevent people dying or being seriously injured on our state highways,” says Waka Kotahi director regional relationships Emma Speight.

Emma says this formal consultation follows earlier conversations with Tasman residents on what they thought about the current speed limits on High St. They say the feedback received was considered along with technical assessments, to propose changes to the current speed limits.

“The new speed limits proposed, alongside the safety improvements currently underway - traffic signals and a new raised roundabout - would help make High St safer for everyone, especially those walking or cycling within the busy town centre.

“The mix of people walking and cycling and different vehicle types in this urban environment can create safety issues for everyone. Ensuring safer speed limits is a relatively simple way to help reduce those safety risks for everyone,” says Emma.

Formal public consultation on the proposed changes to speed limits on SH60 High St Motueka will run from Monday, 11 October to Friday, 5 November 2021.

To find out more about proposed changes or to make a submission visit the Waka Kotahi website here.