Speed change rules in government limbo

Planned reductions in road speed limits across both South Wairarapa and Carterton districts are in limbo after central government halted the process, suggesting most of the planned changes won’t go ahead, particularly on state highways.

Work on the plans by council staff, public submissions _ most favouring lower open road and urban speeds _ and cash spending stopped when South Wairarapa’s Strategy Committee hit the brakes last month.

Among the speed level changes proposed by the plans: 30 kmh outside schools, 40 kmh on most urban streets, 80 kmh on many rural roads and state highways in the district. All unsealed roads in the south also would have an 80 kmh maximum speed.

Committee members expressed concern that practical safety measures, particularly in urban areas, may be scrapped because of a change of government.

But the council made no decision on proposals put forward by members to write to Transport Minister (and Local Government Minister), Auckland MP Simeon Brown, reminding government of the impact road speeds have on people and lives. 

Instead, SWDC ceo Janice Smith and operations manager Stephan Corbett would “work off-line” on the issues caused by the government handbrake. 

“It wouldn’t be prudent for council to continue to spend money on something that could be replaced  by something else,” she told the committee. 

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