Residents welcome reduced speed limit proposal for Whanganui streets

Residents in Pickwick Rd are relieved that the sign has been removed from the end of their road and the council has begun a process to address speed limits in the area. Photo / Mike Tweed

Proposed speed limit changes for roads in the Whanganui suburb of Otamatea have been welcomed by residents.

Following Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency's reduction of speed limits on Great North Rd (SH3) late last year, a 100km/h speed limit sign appeared at the intersection of SH3 and Pickwick Rd.

The sign has now been removed, although the 100km/h speed limit remains.

Whanganui District Council officers have reviewed limits for Pickwick Rd and the intersecting Dickens Lane and consider lowering the permanent speed limits on the two roads from 100km/h to 50 km/h would provide safer and more appropriate limits for the area.

The current 70km/h speed limit for nearby Mannington Rd and Kingston Way has also been reviewed and officers consider that a 50km/h speed limit would be safer for the area.

Council senior policy analyst Justin Walters and senior roading engineer Brent Holmes told the council strategy and finance committee they had sought feedback from residents in both areas. The committee approved the proposal to seek public consultation.

There were 32 responses from Pickwick Rd and Dickens Lane residents and all but one supported a speed reduction, with 16 seeking a maximum speed limit of 50km/h while three proposed a speed limit of 40km/h.

Reasons for included safety, the narrow and winding nature of roads and the inability of cars to safely pass at the current speed limit.

The officers received 25 responses from Mannington Rd and Kingston Way residents and 19 supported the reduction to 50km/h while six opposed the change.

Reasons for supporting the reduction included consistency, safety and the character of the roads as residential streets.

Of those that wished to retain the higher speed limit, a number commented that the existing speed limit was appropriate as there had been no accidents.

Officers said speed limit changes must comply with Speed Limits Bylaw 2017 and the council is obliged to comply with the Land Transport Rule to set safe and appropriate speed limits on roads under its controls.

Pickwick Rd resident Kerry Vallely said she had not seen anyone speeding in the area recently and was relieved that the 100km/h sign had been removed.

"People who live in the area always tend to drive at around 40km/h. It is a quiet, residential road," she said.

*Formal public consultation will now begin and the period for making submissions will be from April 7 to May 12. Information on the amendment can be found at whanganui.govt.nz