Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has set new permanent speed limits on State Highway 3, Whanganui to Westmere.
Between November and December 2019, we consulted with stakeholders and the public on the safe and appropriate speed for State Highway 3 from just south of the Turere Place/Great North Road (SH3) intersection to just north of the Blue Skin Road/Great North Road (SH3) intersection.
Whanganui is growing, and the way this road is used has changed. There are more homes in this area, and the current speeds are no longer safe and appropriate. There have been 21 crashes on this stretch of road between 2009 and 2018. Two people died and three were seriously injured in these crashes.
Waka Kotahi is always looking for ways to improve the safety of our roads. This route is included in the top 10% of the regional network which will result in the greatest reduction in death and serious injury through speed management, and there has been consistent support from local communities for a speed review in these areas.
During engagement and then formal consultation locals told us they feel unsafe, and that the speed limit should be lowered to reduce the number of crashes and make it safer so people could continue to do things like going to school, or walking or cycling beside the state highway. Our priority is to make this road safer so that everyone using it can get where they are going safely and reliably.
The following speed limits were proposed during consultation and have been set as the new permanent speed limits. The new permanent speed limits take effect from Friday 18 December 2020.
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Confirmed speed limit changes for State Highway 3 (SH3), Whanganui to Westmere |
Current speed limit |
New speed limit From 18 December 2020 |
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From 30m south of Turere Place/Great North Road (SH3) intersection to 200m north of Tirimoana Place/Great North Road (SH3) intersection. |
70km/h |
50km/h |
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From 200m north of Tirimoana Place/Great North Road (SH3) intersection to 100m north of Blue Skin Road/Great North Road (SH3) intersection. |
100km/h |
80km/h |
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When determining the proposed speed limits that we consulted on, we reviewed the speeds that people are currently driving on this road, as well as the road itself. The speed limits of 50 km/h and 80 km/h were assessed to be the safe and appropriate speeds for the route.
Lower permanent speed limits were needed to reduce the number of crashes and resulting deaths and serious injuries.
The new permanent speed limits are estimated to reduce the number of crashes by 16%. This will reduce the amount of time the road is closed due to crashes and reduce inconvenience to drivers.
The new permanent speed limits will have minimal impact on travel times. Over the 2.7km route, the increase in travel time will be approximately 21 seconds.
Find out more about the Whanganui to Westmere permanent speed limits by reading the frequently asked questions.
Public consultation closed on 19 December 2019.
886 submissions were received during the consultation period from stakeholder organisations and the public.
View our consultation summary and the submissions:
More information about speed and the speed review process is available on the Speed Review Programme webpage.
