Waka Kotahi is urging people to have their say on safer speeds proposed for Hawke’s Bay as part of as part of Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan (ISMP), with consultation closing on Monday 12 December.
The ISMP, released for public comment in November, proposes variable speed limits near five schools on SH2 and SH51, an intersection speed zone at the SH2/SH50 intersection in Takapau at the SH2/SH50 intersection in Takapau and a permanent change to SH50/Links Road.
Jeanette Darwen, owner of Silky Oak Chocolate Company on Links Road, has advocated for a speed reduction for many years. In 2019, 152 Links Road residents presented a petition to Waka Kotahi expressing their concerns about unsafe speeds and noise outside their homes and businesses.
Jeanette was one of them and is over the moon that the 80km/h speed limit on Links Road may soon become a reality.
“Having lived in Links Road for well over 30 years, we have seen a huge upswing in traffic numbers. Businesses and residents alike, including Silky Oak are looking forward to the speed limit reduction,” she says.
Linda Stewart, Waka Kotahi Director of Regional Relationships, says the proposed new speed limits will ensure people living, working and travelling through these areas are protected from harm, including ensuring safer speeds around schools in the area.”
“We have the responsibility to ensure that our loved ones can arrive safely wherever they need to go. It’s at the heart of everything we do.”
Waka Kotahi is seeking submissions for consideration alongside its analysis and conversations with partners, interested groups and organisations as factors to finalise the Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan.
People can access information on the Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan and submit feedback by visiting the Waka Kotahi website:
www.nzta.govt.nz/ISMP
Consultation closes at 5pm, Monday, 12 December 2022.
