Division over speed limits

PEOPLE are split on whether the council should reduce speeds on a slew of roads around Dunedin.

The council is proposing reducing speeds to 30kmh in the Dunedin CBD and Green Island, to 40kmh on Otago Peninsula town centre roads and to 60kmh on highrisk rural roads in Allanton, Blackhead, Brighton, Fairfield, Green Island, Halfway Bush, Highcliff, Mt Cargill, North Taieri, Ocean View, Otago Peninsula, Saddle Hill, Tomahawk, Waldronville and Westwood.

A total of 333 responses were received during a consultation period, 176 of them opposed to the plans and 144 in support of them.

Twentysix people will speak to the council about their reasons for responding at hearings next week.

Those opposed raised various issues, including that they believed existing speed limits were safe and appropriate; the speed limits were not the issue, drivers were; and lower speeds would increase driver frustration, lead to dangerous overtaking manoeuvres or congestion and would not automatically result in lower speeds without police enforcement.

Those in favour of the reductions noted safety benefits for pedestrians and vulnerable road users, and that consistency surrounding speed limits was good.

A total of 53% were opposed to reducing the speed limit on central city and highrisk rural roads.

Regarding peninsula roads, 49% did not agree with reducing the speed limit to 40kmh, while 51% of submitters agreed with reducing the speed limit to 80kmh on Scroggs Hill Rd.

The council has previously said implementing slower speeds will save lives, as crash statistics continue to worsen, making a significant difference to pedestrian and cyclist safety.

The regulatory subcommittee will listen to submitters from next Wednesday before deciding upon a recommendation to present to the full council.