Speed limit cut ‘by Christmas’
A dangerous stretch of road between Atawhai and Nelson city is expected to have an 80kmh speed limit before next year.
Despite fears that the reduction could be years away, NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) regional relationships South Island director Jim Harland told Nelson’s regional transport committee on Wednesday that it was expected to be implemented ‘‘by Christmas’’.
‘‘You’ll be pleased to know we have been working on that, and the Atawhai to Nelson (road), along with the whole corridor between Nelson and Blenheim, has been subjected to a speed review,’’ Harland said.
‘‘Our objective is to have the new speed limits in place round about Christmas, so that for the summer season people will be operating on more appropriate speed guidance from the system and enforcement from police.
‘‘The proposal as I understand it will include 80kmh from Atawhai into Nelson, which is something you’ve sought for a period of time, so that’s a good result.’’
The 110km stretch of State Highway 6 between Nelson and Blenheim was identified by the NZTA as a priority for improvement in 2017, due to the number of serious or fatal accidents there. Between 2006 and 2016, 20 people died and 93 were seriously injured.
Five of those deaths occurred in the 100kmh stretch around Atawhai. Residents and the Nelson City Council
‘‘[It’s] something you’ve sought for a period of time, so that’s a good result.’’
Jim Harland, NZTA
have been asking NZTA to reduce the speed limit there for years. Multiple accidents have happened in the area this year, including one that saw five people hospitalised.
The speed limit reduction will not be immediate, because the NZTA must first consult with interested parties such as the council and police, and then with the public.
Harland could not confirm exactly where on the road the limit would change, but said it would be in ‘‘a logical place that makes sense’’.
Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese said the move was ‘‘excellent’’, and Councillor Brian McGurk double-checked to confirm that Harland meant Christmas this year.
Harland confirmed that the plan was to have everything done before New Year.
‘‘[We have] about four months to deliver. The signage change is the easiest thing to do,’’ he said.