Public feedback wanted for proposed Western Bay speed limit

Public feedback is being sought in regard to a partial review of its speed limits bylaw. The Western Bay of Plenty District Council is proposing a 40km/h variable speed limit around seven urban schools at peak opening and closing times. Additionally, the Council is looking to install permanent active warning signs at five rural schools to encourage motorists to reduce speed during peak opening and closing times.

Variable limits, set at 40km/h, are proposed around the school zones of Katikati Primary, Katikati College, Waihi Beach, Oropi, Maketu, Paengaroa and Te Puke Intermediate schools.

Active warning advisory speed signs are proposed at Rangiuru, Pongakawa, Omokoroa No 1, Whakamarama and Pukehina schools.

“We have had numerous requests for speed limit changes around schools since the last review in 2015," says the Council’s Deputy CEO and Infrastructure Manager Gary Allis.

“The proposed changes take into consideration the environment around each of the schools. Some are best suited for variable speed limits set at 40km/h and others are better suited for active warning signs to raise motorists awareness they are entering a rural school zone,” says Gary.

In addition to the proposals for schools, Council has a number of speed limit changes to 38 roads across the District – with the exception of any state highways which are not under Council’s jurisdiction.

There are also other proposed changes in this review including a default speed limit of 50km/h for all urban traffic areas. This means all new roads created as a result of subdivision would default to 50km/h rather than requiring a bylaw review process to set the speed limit.

The proposals are part of a partial (not a whole-of network) review of Council’s bylaw. 

The Draft Speed Limit Bylaw 2020 will be out for public consultation from Monday 3 August until 4pm Friday 4 September 2020.

You can have your say here: https://haveyoursay.westernbay.govt.nz/speedlimits