7 September 2021
In 2019, community members from Golden Bay contacted Waka Kotahi, worried about locals’ and visitors’ safety on a stretch of State Highway 60 (SH60) between Paines Ford and Tākaka. The area had a 100km/h speed limit.
Some community members thought the summer season speed limit of 80km/h should be in place all -year-round.
After engagement and consultation with the community and stakeholders, in May 2021 a permanent new speed limit of 80km/h was put in place from Paines Ford to Tākaka.
Tākaka community member Linda O’Connor, who coordinated the local campaign for a safer SH60, said the community has seen a change since the new speed limit came into effect.
“Many people have commented how great it is to have the speed limit at 80km/hr rather than 100km/hr. The change was felt immediately; driving, walking, crossing the road felt safer, calmer, less stressful.”
Speed can be the factor that determines whether you’re killed, seriously injured or walk away unharmed in a crash. The community wanted the highway to be safer for everyone, including those walking or cycling.
“It was particularly difficult for pedestrians crossing the highway to get to the popular Paines Ford recreation area” says Linda. “It simply makes sense to slow down when coming into a built-up area.”
In 2021, a walking and cycling path was also built alongside the highway between Paines Ford and Tākaka. Together with the safer speed limit, this section of SH60 is now safer for everyone.
This was just one of 34 speed reviews held across New Zealand as part of the 2018–21 National Land Transport Programme, resulting in speeds being made safer on 587.2kms of state highways.
Watch this video for to hear about another project that made SH60 Appleby Highway safer.
As part of the 2021–24 National Land Transport Programme, we’ll invest $45 million to improve safety and provide people with healthier, more environmentally friendly travel options in the top of the South Island.
SH60 Paines Ford to Tākaka speed review project
2021–24 NLTP Top of the South: Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough regional summary
