Plan to drop speed limits on rural roads

The council is considering cutting the speed limit from 100kmh to 60kmh on some rural roads in Porirua.

A Porirua City Council review of speed limits for roads off State Highway 58 will tie in with NZTA’s proposed speed reduction on the busy highway, potentially from 100kmh to 80kmh.

The council is carrying out a joint public consultation with NZTA and asking for feedback until April 20.

Porirua Mayor Mike Tana said the review was about safety and consistency.

‘‘Speed testing has shown a safe and comfortable speed would be in the range of 40kmh to 60kmh.

‘‘If these roads can’t safely be driven at 100kmh then it can create confusion for motorists by having that as the speed limit.

‘‘It would also be appropriate and generally expected by road users that a narrow, local rural road would have a lower speed limit than a state highway.’’

The affected roads are Bradey Rd, Belmont Rd, Flightys Rd, Murphys Rd, Mulhern Rd, Moonshine Rd and Harris Rd.

The council is also proposing the same speed reduction for Coroglen Rise – which has a current limit of 100kmh but comes off the 60kmh Airlie Road – and will consult on that at the same time.

‘‘This gives a potentially confusing signal to motorists that Coroglen Rise is a faster and safer road than Airlie Road.’’

The lower limits are in line with the new NZTA Speed Management Guide for setting speed limits.

‘‘It would be easier for motorists if all the rural roads in the city have a similar speed limit.

‘‘The proposed 60kmh is consistent with the limits already in place on Grays Road and Paekakariki Hill Road.

‘‘But we want to hear what you think, so have your say.’’