30kph speed zones rolled out in Mid Canterbury
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The rollout of 30kph school speed zones is complete, but one Ashburton District councillor hopes there isn’t a rise in speed infringements as a result.
There has been some frustration with the introduction of the reduced speed around schools, and councillor Richard Wilson is concerned about a potential increase in motorists being fined for exceeding the 30kph limits the council has introduced.
Wilson was worried that because the permanent speed variation was implemented before the council could roll out variable speed signage to all schools immediately, it would be catching out motorists.
“Someone caught doing 42kph at 10pm past a school is not the spirit of why were are going to 30kph,” Wilson said.
The speed limit was now legally set at 30kph and motorists needed to adapt to the change, chief executive Hamish Riach said.
The speed zones were introduced to increase safety for school children.
Council data last year showed that the median speed on the district's urban streets was around 35kph.
The limits will be reviewed in future, with a view to potentially adding variable signs to the urban zones as funds become available.
Variable speed signs cost about $10,000 each, road manager Mark Chamberlain said.
A minor delay with the urban rollout was down to having nothing to hold them up as across the country there had been a lack of aluminium poles for the signs, Chamberlain said.
The signs are now all in place at urban schools, as well as at Lauriston and Dorie as the two rural schools have low traffic volumes outside of school drop-off and pick up and the average speed data showed it was close to 30kph anyway.
At the rural schools, the variable signs are in place at Longbeach School, Lagmhor School, Carew Peel Forest School, and Wakanui School.
The only two sites yet to have the 30kph zones implemented are under Waka Kotahi jurisdiction - with 30kph variable speed limits planned for the front of the three Methven schools and Ashburton Borough on SH77.
*Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Poll: Do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? ☔⚠️
As reported in the Press, the same low-pressure system that lashed the North Island over the weekend is now making its way south, bringing heavy rain and strong winds with it. It’s a soggy start to the week for many of us.
With more wild weather on the cards, we’re curious: do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? Or are you more of a “grab the torches and hope for the best” household?
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0% Yes - we like to be prepared
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0% Nah
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0% This is on my to-do list!
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.5% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.5% ... It is complicated
A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜
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