Kaiapoi board backs speed limit change
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The speed limit on Kaiapoi’s Smith Street will be reduced to accommodate the growing Waimak Junction Business Park.
The Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board backed a proposal this week to reduce the speed limit from 80kph to 50kph on the small stretch of road between the southbound motorway on-ramp and the existing 50kph sign, 90 metres to the east.
Waimakariri District Council roading and transportation manager Joanne McBride said the speed limit change was needed to improve safety.
The Waimak Junction Business Park is expanding, with the planned opening of a Countdown supermarket, alongside Placemakers, Bunnings, Mitre 10, Briscoes and other retailers, expected to significantly increase traffic volumes.
But board members questioned why the speed limit was not being reduced from Revells Rd, including the Smith St motorway overbridge, which was under the jurisdiction of Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
Deputy mayor Neville Atkinson said the overbridge section of the road, with four entry points, was more dangerous and suggested ‘‘piecemeal’’ changes to speed limits were confusing for motorists.
‘‘I don’t see the sense in changing this two or three times. It is just nonsensical. We need to change it all at once.’’
McBride said council staff had approached Waka Kotahi, but the agency had no plans to reduce the speed limit on the section of Smith Street under its jurisdiction.
‘‘The traffic signals are going in and we have time constraints with the development proceeding, so we need to get it done now.’’
Developer Jedd Pearce said the speed limit reduction on Smith St was long overdue.
He said the Countdown supermarket build, the largest development on the site, was expected to completed in late October.
‘‘It is going to be good for Kaiapoi and create a lot of employment.
‘‘I’m really looking forward to seeing it finished. We’re trying to catch up with Rangiora.’’
Council staff completed consultation in November and found there was 52 percent support from respondents for the speed limit change, with 48% opposed.
Board chairperson Jackie Watson backed the speed limit change.
‘‘I think it is time that we had this speed limit change.
‘‘I have spoken to quite a few people who didn’t even know it was coming, but they said when they try to come out of Tunas St sometimes it is impossible.’’
Waka Kotahi regional relationships director James Caygill said his organisation worked closely with other road controlling authorities when speed limits were being reviewed.
‘‘We will continue to consider how road controlling authorities are intending to treat local roads connecting with state highways as the State Highway Speed Management Plan is developed and do our best, where possible, to ensure those plans remain aligned.’’
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Fears motorway toll could leave North Canterbury town worse off
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A community leader fears a toll on the proposed motorway extension could leave a North Canterbury town worse off.
Woodend-Sefton Community Board chairperson Shona Powell said she fears Woodend could face increased traffic without promised safety improvements, if a toll is introduced on the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway extension, which includes the proposed Woodend Bypass.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) last month announced consultation for a toll of $4.30 for light vehicles and $8.60 for heavy vehicles (including trucks) on the new 11km Manawatu Gorge Motorway, which will be completed next year.
It means commuters could be stung with paying an extra $43 a week in their travel costs.
The agency said the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway extension will be 9km, including the Woodend Bypass and the realignment and four laning south of Pineacres.
Woodend residents have been waiting for safety improvements since NZTA began consulting with the community eight years ago.
But the safety improvements have been placed on hold, pending the progress of the motorway extension.
‘‘My biggest concern is people will continue using the existing road through Woodend and will go through Kaiapoi or Tuahiwi to avoid paying the toll,’’ Powell said.
‘‘And Woodend may not get the safety improvements, so nothing changes.’’
Powell was also concerned the speed reduction from 100kph to 80kph on State Highway 1 between the Pegasus roundabout and Waikuku could be reversed, following changes to the Setting of Speed Limits rule being announced.
‘‘It was a speed limit requested by the community as a safety improvement.
‘‘To go back to having that fast speed limit for traffic coming from the north, it would just be disastrous.’’
NZTA director regional relationships James Caygill said the Government Policy Statement (GPS) on land transport requires the agency to consider tolling for new roads.
‘‘But it is too soon to discuss any potential tolling options until the scope and cost of this project has been confirmed’’.
Caygill was unable to confirm whether the 80kph speed limit between Pegasus and Waikuku would remain.
He said the agency will identify locations affected by the rule once it is finalised later in the year.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown said Waka Kotahi ‘‘is working at pace’’ to deliver the motorway extension.
‘‘NZTA’s project teams are reviewing the scope, design, cost, and timing of all Roads of National Significance projects to ensure consistency with expectations in the GPS on Land Transport 2024.’’
He said Government ‘‘will support any recommendation from NZTA to toll roads’’.
The Government was also committed to ‘‘reversing Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions’’, Brown said.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Is dumping an issue in your neighbourhood?
There's nothing worse than strolling around the streets in your neighbourhood and seeing dumped rubbish.
Have you noticed this in your area? What could we do to combat this around the country?
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41.7% Yes, I've seen some illegal dumping
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57.5% No, our neighbourhood is pretty good
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0.8% Other - I'll share below
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