Brakes on speed
Petition to NZTA urging work on approach to Waihi
Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency dropin sessions provided an opportunity for Waihi residents to present their petition – with more than 100 signatures – to reduce the speed coming into Waihi from Paeroa.
The NZTA sessions were held in Waihi, Katikati, Mangatarata and Paeroa as part of community consultation process on State Highway 2 speed limits.
In February, Austin Rattray and Anne Marie Spicer organised a public protest on the roadside to reduce the speed limit along the stretch of highway, which has been the site of several fatal and serious crashes.
The group wants the 70km/h speed limit reduced 50km/h. They have been frustrated with NZTA’S inaction in reducing the speed limit. “A reduction just make sense. “Speed reductions are a sensible first step as you enter Waihi,” Rattray said.
“Dean Cres turnoff is a busy intersection servicing our local transfer station, and the likes of Goldpine and Waihi Hire, where these are often slow with heavy vehicles and further into town, a growing housing development, a rest home and a playground are all serviced by these fast stretches of road.”
Rattray and Spicer presented NZTA with the petition and photos from the day of their protest.
“The protest went very well,” Spicer said.
“There was a lot of support, not just from protesters but from cars driving past, too. At the NZTA drop-in, we were able to provide feedback we’d received from residents on a speed reduction. We also discussed the Kenny St/rosemont Rd intersection, which needs urgent attention.”
Between 2010 and 2019, 21 people died, and 95 people were seriously injured on State Highway 2 from Mangatarata through to Katikati.
A NZTA spokesperson said more than 120 people attended three dropin sessions, with one more to be held in Ngatea tomorrow.
“Following (community) engagement, we’ll review all feedback and technical assessments of the road corridor before we formally consult on proposed changes. The public will be given another opportunity to have their say at this stage. We expect to start formal consultation later this year.
“Once a decision is made, it is widely communicated before new speed limits are implemented.”