Four temporary speed limit changes welcomed by councillor
AN Arrowtown councillor says the town’s central roads are being ‘‘treated like racetracks’’ and is welcoming temporary road speed changes.
Yesterday, the Queenstown Lakes District Council announced it would make four temporary road speed changes across its network — including reducing Arrowtown’s speed from 50kmh to 40kmh.
Arrowtown councillor Scott Stevens said he was more than happy with the council’s decision which would increase safety in the town.
‘‘The effect on lawabiding people that stick to the speed limit is minor, the effect on people who speed through a town could be serious, but not as serious as the consequences that wipe out a kid on his bike,’’ he said.
Cr Scott claimed people travel through Arrowtown at speeds of up to 80kmh. ‘‘The people living on the main thoroughfare through town, their roads are being treated like race tracks,’’ he said.
Other changes across the network included the speed limit Lower Shotover Rd in Dalefield reducing from 80kmh to 70kmh and on Aubrey Rd in Wanaka from 70kmh to 50kmh.
The temporary 70kmh speed limit between the Cardrona Village and Cardrona Distillery, which was introduced before Christmas, would be lifted to 100kmh to allow vehicles to make use of the possible passing area.
But the 70kmh limit would remain around the entry ways to Cardrona Distillery and Cardrona Alpine Resort.
A press release from the council stated the changes came after safety concerns were raised by residents and visitors.
The council’s acting community operations officer Myles Lind said the changes, while temporary, would be a step in the right direction.
The changes come into effect over the next two weeks.