Community views on speed sought

The speed at which some people travel on selected roads in Tokoroa and Putaruru could be changed in an effort to reduce deaths on Waikato roads.

Feedback is currently being sought from people who live and travel on Baird, Leslie and Domain Rds with suggestion speed could be managed differently on these roads.

That feedback would to help the district council decide whether to progress changes at these locations through a speed bylaw.

Changes could include different road markings, signage, education, changes to speed limits and road safety campaigns.

The investigation is part of a multi-agency Waikato regional transport committee (RTC) project looking at better ways to manage speed on Waikato roads.

The committee is working with councils in the region to test new ways to do this at a handful of possible demonstration sites, including those in Putaruru and Tokoroa.

The aim is to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the region’s roads – 69 people died last year.

South Waikato District Council group manager assets Ted Anderson said they are keen to hear the community’s views on speed limits.

‘‘We want to know what people think about the current speed limits on these three roads – outside Forest View High School, the busy road to Blue Spring/te Waihou Walkway, and Domain Road in Putaruru, which is used by a range of traffic,’’ he said.

‘‘At the end of the day people do make mistakes and if we can work together to reduce risk by managing speed then our communities will be better off.’’

The Waikato Speed Management Project will test a new approach to speed management using a new national Draft Speed Management Guide, which has been developed by the road safety sector.

People can find out more and share their views online from Wednesday 20 April at waikatoregion.govt.nz/speedmanagement with those who fill in the survey can going in the draw to win a prize.

Views can also be shared in person at a drop-in session on Tuesday May 3, from 3 to 6pm, Forest View High School library, Baird Road, Tokoroa.

❚