29 January 2014 | NZ Transport Agency - Southern Region

The speed limit through West Melton is being lowered next week from 80km/h to 70km/h to improve safety in the town following recent growth in residential development in the area.

The NZ Transport Agency's Traffic and Safety Manager Tony Spowart says concerns have been raised regarding safety as a result of increased traffic volumes.

"Lowering the speed limit to 70km/h through the town strikes a balance between improving the safety of residents, pedestrians and cyclists using this section of State Highway 73 and keeping traffic moving to maintain good travel times."

He says the Transport Agency regularly reviews speed limits to ensure these appropriately reflect the level of development in an area and adjacent activity.

"The Transport Agency is making significant investments in safety improvements on the region's roads, working with police to promote safe driving through advertising and enforcement, and we are encouraging motorists to buy the safest vehicles they can afford.

"In addition to our investment in safe roads and roadsides and promoting safer driving, we are also looking to lower travel speeds and set speed limits that are more appropriate for the function and level of safety on a particular road," he says.

"Increasingly, this will see road users travel at speeds that are specific to each road, recognising the different environment that exists as is the case for the new speed limit through West Melton."

ENDS

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