Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has set a new permanent speed limit for the stretch of state highway from Paines Ford to Tākaka, in Golden Bay/Mohua, to improve safety for everyone who uses the road.
Waka Kotahi Director of Regional Relationships Emma Speight says the new speed limit of 80km/h from 100m south-west of Paines Ford Bridge to 270m south of Motupipi Street, will be effective from Wednesday, 5 May, 2021.
“In 2019, members of the community approached Waka Kotahi asking to make the seasonal speed limit along this section of State Highway 60 permanent as they felt the 100km/h speed limit was too fast.
“This section of road runs past the popular Paines Ford recreation area and the Golden Bay Community Health Centre. We’ve heard from some people in the community that they are worried about the safety of the elderly, young children, tourists and visitors. We also know that people are regularly crossing a highway with limited visibility in places, making it harder for them to judge approaching traffic speeds,” she says.
“This speed reduction is great news for the whole community,” says Tākaka community member Linda O’Connor who lobbied for a safer SH60. “Thanks to everyone for their sustained mahi, and to Waka Kotahi for providing their safety information and for listening to the community.”
Last year, Waka Kotahi consulted with the public on the safe speed limits for this road. The local community, Tasman District Council, NZ Police, Automobile Association, and other road user groups were also consulted.
“We thank everyone who provided a submission and feedback on the proposed speed limit changes,” Ms Speight says.
Between 2009 and 2018 there were 10 crashes between Paines Ford and Tākaka, which left five people seriously injured.
“Speed is a factor in every crash. We all make mistakes, and we will never eliminate crashes, but speed can be the factor that determines whether you are killed, seriously injured or walk away unharmed. Mistakes are inevitable, but deaths and serious injuries don’t have to be.
“We have recently completed the construction of a shared path for people to walk and cycle between Tākaka and Paines Ford alongside the state highway. Together with the safer speed limit, SH60 will now be safer for everyone.”
During community engagement in 2019, Waka Kotahi asked for feedback on proposals for safer speed limits on SH60 between Upper Tākaka (the base of Tākaka Hill) and Tākaka.
The Paines Ford to Tākaka section speed review has now been completed.
Waka Kotahi will be formally consulting on the Upper Tākaka and Upper Tākaka to Paines Ford sections once the Tākaka Hill repairs are complete, and once the community has been asked to provide feedback about speeds and speed limits on the remaining sections of SH60. A date is yet to be confirmed.
More information on the speed review and a summary of the consultation, including submissions, can be found on the Paines Ford project page.
From 5 May 2021, the new permanent speed limit is:
|
SH60 Paines Ford to Tākaka |
Current speed limit |
New speed limit |
|
From 100m southwest of Paines Ford Bridge to 270m south of Motupipi Street. |
100km/h |
80km/h |
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