Journeys for people traveling on State Highway 3 Napier Road between Sutton Place and Macpherson Grove will soon be safer, with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency announcing a new safer permanent speed limit.
Waka Kotahi consulted with the public and stakeholders in June 2022 on the proposal to extend the Palmerston North urban 50km/h zone on SH3 Napier Road, past the Bupa Riverstone Retirement Village entrance.
From 16 December 2022, the permanent speed limit will be 50km/h from 20m north of Sutton Place to 180m east of Macpherson Grove.
Director Regional Relationships Linda Stewart says the proposal to extend the urban 50km/h speed limit came about following consultation earlier this year on safe and appropriate speeds for SH3 Napier Road between Palmerston North and Ashhurst.
“It was suggested in the initial speed review that the 50km/h zone be extended past the retirement village as some felt 80km/h was too high for an environment with vulnerable road users. We also visited Bupa Riverstone Retirement Village and spoke with residents who had some constructive feedback and suggestions,” says Ms Stewart.
“We considered all of this feedback and found that extending the 50km/h zone past the retirement village would be safe and appropriate for this stretch of road.”
The extension of the urban50km/h speed zone follows speed changes implemented along SH3 Napier Road between Palmerston North and Ashhurst in June 2022.
“As well as lowering speed limits we’re also designing safety improvements between Keith Street and Stoney Creek Road, including new traffic signals at the intersection of SH3 Napier Road and Roberts Line, and improved walking and cycling facilities,” says Ms Stewart.
Construction of the infrastructure improvements is expected to begin next year, subject to funding approval.
The extension of the Palmerston North urban 50km/h zone on SH3 Napier Road follows engagement with the Police, councils, and consultation with the public.
“We thank everyone who provided their feedback on the proposed speed limit,” says Ms Stewart.
More information on the permanent speed limit and public consultation, including a summary of submissions, can be found on the SH3 Napier Road speed review project page
SH3 Napier Road speed review and infrastructure improvements
Waka Kotahi is consulting now on further speed limit changes in the Manawatū-Whanganui region through an Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan. More information can be found on the Waka Kotahi website - Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan
Delivering safety improvements in speed and infrastructure are an important part of Road to Zero, Aotearoa New Zealand’s road safety strategy, and underpinned by the internationally proven Safe System approach, which acknowledges that as humans, we all make mistakes - but these mistakes do not need to cost us our lives.
