31 January 2019
In November 2018 Council resolved to trial lower speed limits on a number of high profile roads in the district.
Signposts with new speed limits are now being erected. The temporary speed limits will remain in place until 31 May
2019, unless formally adopted by Council at an earlier time. A wider speed limit review is planned towards the end of
May and will involve public consultation with the public invited to submit their thoughts on the new speed limits.
Initial public feedback on the proposed changes was overwhelmingly positive and areas that are not part of the trial are
currently being considered. Many of the rural roads outside of town carry open road speed limits, but the conditions of
the roads, which is more challenging than the State Highway network, mean they are not suitable for these speeds and
most traffic travels at a lower speed.
Trialling speed limits gives the public an opportunity to understand how the lower limits affect their time on the roads
and will allow them to provide valuable feedback. The Council will have the opportunity to make adjustments as a result.
Roads being trialled are:
Old Christchurch Road – Combination of 80km/h on the sealed section and 60km/h on the unsealed section
Hauhau Road – 60km/h on the unsealed section from the top of Blue Spur to Kaniere Township
Lake Kaniere Road – 80km/h from the End of the Kaniere Residential area to the 50km/h Zone at the lake
Milltown Road – 60km/h for the entire length
Hans Bay Settlement – 30km/h
Dorothy Falls Road – 60km/h for the entire unsealed section out to the Styx Bridge
Kaniere Road – 60km/h from Hokitika’s East Town Belt to the end of the Kaniere Residential Zone on Lake Kaniere Road
Kaniere Tram Road – 40km/h for the entire road
Pine Tree Road – 40km/h for the entire road
Seddon Terrace Road – 40km/h for the entire road
Beach Road (Kakapotahi) – 60km/h for the entire road
Gillespies Beach Road – 60km/h for the entire road
Hokitika CBD – 30km/h for the area encompassed by Stafford Street to the North and Fitzherbert Street to the East
ENDS