New speed limits for Bay roads

SWe have reviewed the speed environment around all our schools and assessed which are the best options for managing speeds.

peed limits will be changing on 39 roads across the district andnewor variable speed limits will be introduced for 12 schools during opening and closing times.

The changes are a result of public consultation on the Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s partial speed limit bylaw review earlier this year – with the exception of any state highways which are not under council’s jurisdiction.

Changes include a variable40km/ hspeed limit around seven urban schools and permanent active warning signs (60km/h) at five rural schools to encourage motorists to reduce speed during peak opening and closing times.

Variable limits, set at 40km/h, will be set around the school zones of Katikati Primary, Katikati College, Waihi Beach, Oropi, Maketu, Paengaroa and Te Puke Intermediate schools.

Active warning advisory speed signs will be erected at Rangiuru, Pongakawa, OmokoroaNo1, Whakamaramaand Pukehina schools.

The speed limit changes to 39 roads across the district are in response to community requests and have been influenced by increased residential subdivision and increased traffic.

Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber says the reduced speeds will gosome wayto making the local roading

Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber

network safer.

“The major cause of injury and death on our roads are alcohol, speed and drugs. Reducing speed limits on our local roads will have a significant impact on road safety in our district.”

Webber says council’s decision to reduce speeds around rural schools during drop-off and pick-up times is adirect response tomanyrequests from the public.

“Wehave reviewed the speed environment around all our schools and assessed which are the best options for managing speeds.”

Other changes include adefault speed limit of 50km/hfor defined urban traffic areas. Thismeansall newroads created as a result of subdivision within these defined areas would default to50km/h rather than requiring a bylaw review process to set the speed limit.

Once formally adopted by council on December 17, the changes will comeinto effect from March 29, 2021.