Port Chalmers speed limit to be assessed

A LONGRUNNING campaign to slow traffic along Port Chalmers’ main street may be coming to an end.

The NZ Transport Agency plans to to assess the 50kmh speed limit in George St before the end of the year, after the Dunedin City Council voted to support the lowering of the limit and requested it be done before October 1, 2019.

The Port Chalmers and community has long been pushing for the speed limit in George St to be permanently reduced to 30kmh but has had no success as yet.

NZTA senior safety engineer Roy Johnston said the agency aimed to assess the speed limit through the Port Chalmers along State Highway 88 before Christmas, as requested by the council.

Once the assessment was completed the NZTA would advise the council of its decision.

The speed limit was reviewed in 2012 but the NZTA decided against any reduction.

Protests have been held, sub missions made and petitions signed but so far there has been no permanent change.

Sections of the street have been temporarily reduced to 30kmh.

Port Otago already has a voluntary speed limit of 30kmh for its trucks in George St and has paid for the permanent placement of an electronic radar sign at the entrance to the town.

Last week a group of about 30 senior residents held a meeting to demand the speed limit be reduced urgently.

Resident Stu Debenham said the NZTA had no choice but to reduce the speed and it was now a question of when.

Mr Debenham said he trusted the NZTA would do the right thing but if not, a group of residents was prepared to block the road until the speed was reduced.

‘‘We can’t afford to wait another year because somebody might get hurt or killed in the meantime.

‘‘The day’s have gone of us allowing these cowboys to rip through our main street. It’s got to stop.’’