Growth gobbles up rural roads
Hamilton City is spreading, engulfing what were once rural roads.
As traffic in the outskirts increases, some residents are calling for council to drop speed limits or dip into its coffers for upgrades.
Community calls for action have already focused council attention on Baverstock Rd, on the edge of Nawton, and Kay Rd to the north, and proposals for change are in the works.
It’s part of dealing with growth, general manager of city infrastructure Chris Allen says, but councillors ultimately have to decide which roads get a fix.
On Baverstock, suburbia is growing out to the Hamilton Zoo end of the road, but kerbs and footpaths haven’t yet followed.
The speed signposts read 70kmh, but residents want a lower limit, especially since many speed.
Council did a test, resident Max Verran said, and residents were told the fastest driver was doing 130kmh.
‘‘It’s not quite twice the speed limit, but it’s pretty close,’’ he said.
Councillor Angela O’Leary picked up on residents’ concerns about three months ago, Verran said, and she, other councillors and council staffers have met with them on three occasions.
Council wrote to residents saying it is planning to look at changing the limit to 50kmh and making temporary improvements for pedestrians.
‘‘It is hoped funding for a full permanent urbanisation project will be made available through the 2018-28 Ten Year Plan,’’ the letter says.
In the north of the city, increasing traffic on the undulating Kay Rd is worrying residents.
‘‘Now the city’s growing out to meet Kay Rd ... you can see where the city finishes, because they’re building right out to that boundary,’’ resident Sian Wilson said.
‘‘We’re seeing the potential for a road death or serious injury.
‘‘There are roadworks all along at the moment, which is actually a bit of a blessing because it slows people down ... There are humps in the road, which give really poor visibility.’’
Part of Kay Road is 100kmh and part 80kmh, Wilson said, and residents want the speed lowered.
Hamilton City Councillor James Casson helped residents take their concerns to the city council and residents are waiting for council to come back with suggestions, Wilson said.