Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has set new permanent safer speed limits for some sections of State Highway 30, Tikitere to Whakatāne.
It consulted on a proposed speed limit change between January and March 2022 after a review of the road found the current speed limit was not safe or appropriate for the road.
From Monday 14 August 2023 the new permanent speed limits will be:
|
Location |
Existing speed limit (km/h) |
New speed limit (km/h) |
|
Tikitere – From 353m east of SH30/SH33 |
100 |
80 |
|
Ruatō Bay/ Lake Rotoiti – From 650m east of Curtis Road to 905m west of Morehu Road West. |
100, 80, 100 |
60 |
|
Lake Rotoehu – From 905m west of Morehu Road West to 120m west of Oxford Road. |
100 |
80 |
|
Lake Rotomā – From 120m west of Oxford Road to 2460m west of SH30/SH34 Kawerau Junction West. |
70, 100 |
60 |
|
Rotomā – From 2460m west of SH30/SH34 Kawerau Junction West to 412m west of Huia Crescent. |
100 |
80 |
|
Rangitāiki River bridge – From 412m west of Huia Crescent to 325m east of Te Teko Road. |
50 |
No change |
|
Te Teko – From 325m east of Te Teko Road to 100m north-east of Galatea Road. |
70 |
60 |
|
Te Teko East – From 100m north-east of Galatea Road to 185m south-west of SH2/SH30 Awakeri Junction West. |
100 |
80 |
|
Awakeri – From 185m south-west of SH2/SH30 Awakeri Junction West to 705m north-east of the SH2/30 Awakeri Junction East |
70, 100 |
60 |
|
Awakeri – From 100m west of the SH2/30 Awakeri Junction West to 80m east of the SH2/SH30 Awakeri Junction East. |
70 |
60 |
|
Whakatāne – From 705m north-east of the SH2/30 Awakeri Junction East to 310m west of the centre of the SH30/Gateway Drive/Phoenix Drive roundabout. |
100 |
80 |
|
Whakatāne bridge – From 310m west of the centre of SH30/Gateway Drive/Phoenix Drive roundabout to 100m north of northern abutment of the Whakatāne Bridge. |
80 |
60 |
Waka Kotahi Director Regional Relationships, David Speirs, says the changes are being made to improve safety by ensuring the speed limits fit the design and use of this busy regional route.
“The towns and settlements along this route have developed significantly since the current speed limits were set many years ago, and these changes will introduce speed limits that are safe for the present day. Even small changes in speed can make a big difference to the outcome of a crash.”
“Safe speeds really matter. They can make a substantial difference to creating safe and sustainable communities. By adopting safe speeds on this route, we can make it safer for everyone who uses it.”
New speed limit signs will be installed from Monday 14 August 2023 and upon installation the new safer speed limit takes effect.
Mr Spiers says the changes are being made following consultation with the public and engagement with stakeholders which confirmed broad support for the safer speed limits being introduced.
“The setting of the permanent speed limits follows engagement with NZ Police, mana whenua, the AA, road user groups, Rotorua Lakes Council, Whakatāne District Council, local community groups and consultation with the public. We thank the members of the public that provided their feedback on the proposed speed limits.
“As part of the formal consultation process, we reviewed all the submissions to see if any noted safety concerns about changing the speed limit at the various locations. The submissions did not identify any issues that Waka Kotahi had not already considered, however, there was feedback supporting lower speeds where they had not been proposed or at speed limit change points.
“We identified roads where safe speed limits can make a big difference in saving lives, and where communities are calling for change – such as the lakeside villages of Rotoiti, Rotoehu and Rotomā, rural settlements of Te Teko and Awakeri and the main road heading into Whakatāne. People also wanted their whanau and tamariki to feel safe during school drop off and pick up times.
“At Te Puna Whakareia, based on community concern and feedback received, we supported implementing the lower speed limit of 60km/h for this section.
“There was also strong community support to extend the 50km/h speed limit change point at Te Teko, so it was safer for people entering and exiting Eivers Park, we agree with moving the speed limit change point.
“Concerns were also raised about the speed limit outside Awakeri School and support to extend the lower speed limit of 60km/h south of the school. We agree that moving the speed limit change point is appropriate,” says Mr Spiers.
Waka Kotahi is also looking into opportunities suggested by the public to further improve the safety of this route. Safety improvements have been proposed on SH30 between Awakeri and Whakatāne, including installation of flexible median barriers, new roundabouts and shoulder widening.
More information on the permanent speed limits and public consultation, including a summary of submissions, can be found on the SH30 Tikitere to Whakatane permanent speed limits project page.
SH30 Tikitere to Whakatāne permanent speed limits
Delivering safety improvements in speed and infrastructure are an important part of Road to Zero, Aotearoa New Zealand’s road safety strategy, and underpinned by the internationally proven Safe System approach, which acknowledges that as humans, we all make mistakes – but these mistakes do not need to cost us our lives.
