Whanganui letters: New speed limit for Otamatea roads not needed

Bill Simmons writes that a 50km/h speed limit has been recommended for a rural area that hasn't needed one for the last 40 years. Photo / Bevan Conley

Your story on the Otamatea speed limit review (News, June 25) gives unworthy credence to the comment by former councillor Murray Hughes that some of the 38 signatories to our joint submission seeking 60km/h had been led to believe that a 50km/h limit would require the council to install footpaths and lighting in the area.

Page 4 paragraph 4 of our joint submission states "The District Plan is clear that no additional infrastructure will be provided to support development within the Rural Lifestyle Zone".

The notion that a 50km/h speed limit would trigger a requirement for footpaths and streetlights is ridiculous. But the council's institutional memory is short and the District Plan can easily change, given enough pressure, traction and political influence. This possibility was certainly raised with all of the signatories to the submission.

When I came to Dickens Lane in 1987, I never considered the possibility that the five properties over my boundary fences could become 17, including three urban-sized sections. The fact that it happened shows that with the council no possibility can be discounted - especially if more rates are on offer.

The District Plan snafus that caused this have been rectified for the time being, but the Whanganui District Council's, in my opinion, poor stewardship of our area continues.

Seventy-six per cent of the 50 residents surveyed wanted a 60km/h speed limit whereas a council poll found less than 20 residents favouring 50km/h.

Democracy was not well served by Thursday's council decision, which lacked the equal parts of balance and rigour needed.

In my opinion, some councillors appeared confused or poorly informed on the matter and simply took a line of least resistance, resulting in a 50km/h speed limit being recommended for a rural area that hasn't needed one for the last 40 years.

BILL SIMMONS
Otamatea

Our most dedicated cricket fan?

Credit where credit is due. The New Zealand cricket team has excelled itself, but there is at least one cricket supporter who must be acknowledged.

Councillor Graeme Young has loved and played cricket for almost 70 years. I know of no one else so dedicated (or mad), and New Zealand Cricket simply must acknowledge his contribution.

For some reason, while most of us sleep, he stays up most nights watching the TV, loudly abusing every umpire's decision, screaming instructions to the New Zealand players and seriously disturbing the neighbourhood. Obviously most recently, the New Zealand players have taken all his instructions on-board.

Just how his dear wife Sheila has put up and endured all this is hard to explain or excuse. She seriously needs a medal as well as she has heard all this nonsense through the bedroom wall.

I have always considered cricket a vile sport, near to being the worst form of risking one's life, no helmets in my day. Years ago, we Tech boys had a sports day and I faced Gavin Doyle's bowling on Victoria Park. I resolved to stand as far away from the wicket as possible and just let the missile hit anything or anyone else.

Well done Graeme ... have more sleep and enter into your reward.

DAVID BENNETT (Close neighbour)
Whanganui

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