Variable speed limits on the way for Kāpiti school zones

Kāpiti Coast District Council says new variable 30km/h speed limits around 13 Kāpiti schools will in place by June.

Installation of the 30km/h variable speed limit signs will begin this month and will be turned on as they go up.

The change is the first stage of implementing the council’s Speed Management Plan, which was consulted on and adopted last year.

The Government is reviewing New Zealand’s speed limit rules, and the changes signalled do not affect this first stage of the council’s work.

Group manager of infrastructure and asset management Sean Mallon said the council would reassess the Speed Management Plan once new Government direction was finalised.

Areas immediately around all schools will be transitioning to either permanent or variable 30km/h limits by 2027.

Mallon said there was strong community support for speed limit changes around schools.

“This is the first step in our plan for making our road environment safer, especially for our tamariki.

“While the new variable speed limits will become legal in June, we’ll be turning electronic signs on as they’re installed so motorists can start getting used to the change — the sooner we familiarise ourselves with the new rules the better.

“Police have been kept up to date with the changes, however, we trust there will be limited need for enforcement given community support for this step.”

The 30km/h variable speed limits will be operational at St Peter Chanel School, Ō taki School, Ō taki College, Waitohu School, Te Horo School, Waikanae Primary School, Kenekena School, Paraparaumu Beach School, Paraparaumu College, Our Lady of Kāpiti School, Kā piti College, Raumati South School, and Te Rā Waldorf School by mid-June.

Permanent speed limit changes around the remaining Kāpiti schools, and in some cases the installation of traffic calming infrastructure, is scheduled to commence next year for completion by 2027.

The Speed Management Plan will be reviewed every three years.

That will allow the council to assess the effectiveness of any changes, and to apply lessons to updated plans.