Pukenui takes on NZTA and wins

The new speed limit entitles drivers travelling south (towards the camera) to drive at 80km/h until they have crossed Lamb's bridge, which the community and NZTA agree is "very, very dangerous".

Brian Rainford, principal traffic and safety engineer for the NZ Transport Agency, told the Northland Age that but Pukenui appeared to score a major win against the government department at the Araiawa Hall on Thursday night.

About 100 people turned out to meet Mr Rainford and traffic and safety engineer (Auckland and Northland) Mark Newsome to express their dismay at newly-imposed speed limits.

The section of SH1 from just north of the transfer station to the southern approach to Lamb's bridge is now 80km/h, where it reduces to 50km/h, resuming on the other side of the village, just north of the children's playground north of the ambulance station and fishing club.

There were some issues on the southern approach to the village, and the 100km/h limit on Waterfront Road, but the main concern was that traffic travelling south represented a huge risk to life as it crested the rise above Lamb's bridge.

Mr Newsome said data revealed that the fastest 15 per cent of traffic through Pukenui had been breaking the 50km/h speed limit by 20 km/h, which he described as "not good."

NZTA's response was seen by the community to raise the limit to 80km/h, meaning that those drivers would no longer be guilty of speeding.

That was described in a variety of terms, the more restrained including "nonsensical".

Several speakers claimed that a driver heading south would have no chance of stopping in the event of encountering someone crossing the road near the bridge, as routinely happened, especially if the pedestrian was elderly or young and incapable of quickly scurrying out of danger. The risk was even greater when heavy vehicles were involved.

Mr Newsome said the speed limits had been reviewed at the behest of Te Hiku Community Board, which had been consulted, along with other parties including the police, the AA, Heavy Haulage New Zealand and the Far North District Council.

Community board chair Adele Gardner, who was present on Thursday night, said she was totally out of the loop.

Mr Rainford said district council staff had signed the changes off, and Ms Gardner should talk to them.

Russell Wagener was one of several who argued that the local people knew what was needed better than bureaucrats who relied on data.

Drivers who did not know the area would see the 80km/h sign and drive at that speed, he said, unaware of the risk they were taking.

Another said that the 80km/h approach to the bridge represented a danger to traffic, people and dogs - his cat had already been run over - and that if there was an accident he would see the NZTA "in the appropriate place".

Mayor John Carter prompted the NZTA's capitulation when he asked if there was any reason the 50km/h limit could not be reinstated, or even moved further north.

"Is there any reason why that can't happen now?" he asked.

"Is there any reason why you can't start the gazetting process tomorrow? I'm here to encourage you to listen to the community, and to accept what the community is saying."

Mr Rainford said the gazetting process took seven to nine months, but that could be reduced to three to four months.

"The community board told you what it wanted and you haven't listened," Mr Carter replied.

"Why can't you start tomorrow?" New data had to be collected, Mr Rainford said, so the consultation process could be followed, noting again that the police and the council had approved the changes.

Meeting chairman Eric Wagener said the community was not prepared to wait until someone died, however.

"We have heard what you are saying, and I agree," Mr Rainford said after more than an hour of at times spirited discussion.

He agreed that a section of the approach from the north was "very, very dangerous," and would be addressed immediately with additional warning signs.

He would action a reduction in the speed limit when he returned to Auckland.

"I don't disagree with anything I've heard tonight," he said. "I am pretty comfortable with promoting an extension of the 50km/h speed limit."

NZTA would work directly with the community board.

"We are expecting action, and we're expecting action tomorrow," Eric Wagener said.

Pukenui was a mouse that had been roaring for many years, and would continue until its concerns were resolved, he said.