Back
283 days ago

West Coast to consult on lowering speed limits, despite Govt changes

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

A proposal to introduce blanket 30kph speed restrictions in West Coast villages like Blackball and Moana will be put to the public for their views.

The West Coast Regional Transport Committee has decided to consult on a speed management plan for local roads and school zones in the region, despite a shift in national road safety priorities by the Government.

However the committee decision did come with some lively debate.
Committee chairperson Peter Ewen noted the implications of the change of Government direction were still emerging.

"We're in a state of transition," Ewen said.

In December, Transport Minister Simeon Brown issued a directive to Waka Kotahi and councils around the country to cease blanket speed limit reductions.

West Coast Regional Council acting planning team manager Lillie Sadler said speed revisions for local district council roads and school speed zones were still proposed, excluding the state highway network administered by the NZ Transport Agency.

"Once we've got feedback from the public, that can inform the path forward," she said.

Consultant Matthew Noon said the region's three district road authorities supported a regional speed management plan as the way to go, "not withstanding the changes".

The draft focused on local roads, with a consistent approach across the region, he said.

West Coast Regional Council RTC representative Peter Haddock said the draft had been "a requirement" when formulated but the new Government direction meant they should wait before going forward with it.

"I believe the balance of the speed management plans for other roads should be put on hold before Government comes up with their full policy on it."

Haddock said some of the proposed permanent 30kph zones for Blackball and Moana were bound to be "contentious" particularly where 'variable' speed settings could be more appropriate.

Moana has busy holiday and weekend traffic but it was a town largely "with no-one to be seen" and residents had sought variable speed zones for the busy periods, he said.

Imposing a 30kph zone on the main road into Blackball, for over 1km before reaching the busiest part of the village, was "quite slow".

On the other hand most of the speed zones proposed around West Coast schools "are really good".

Greymouth mayor and RTC representative Tania Gibson said her council was "shocked and horrified" by the report proposing speed limit changes.

"It really came out of the blue for our council - speed limits dropping to 30kph nearly everywhere. I'm pleased to see it's come back in this form and that they've actually listened," Gibson said of the draft.

However, she foresaw "pushback" and Blackball tended to be "very vocal".

Gibson said her chief concern was how the public would be consulted; she wanted the draft to go back to her council first before going to the public.

Grey District Council acting transport manager Paddy Blanchfield said the draft Moana 30kph speed zone reflected community feedback to cover the whole village with the proposed zone.

"That was a request from the community, and that was something they were comfortable with. We haven't had a lot of kickback - it was more of a request."

Westland District Council RTC representative councillor Riley Burden said his council had also been shocked at the 30kph speed zones.

However, he noted two areas not in the draft which ordinarily had a low speed zone: Grimmond Ave in Ross through the Ross Domain, and the waterfront at Lake Kaniere.


* LDR is local authority journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.

Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.

Image
Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
  • 64% Yes
    64% Complete
  • 33.4% No
    33.4% Complete
  • 2.5% Other - I'll share below
    2.5% Complete
1582 votes
1 day ago

Unlock the Answer: Today’s Riddle is Trickier Than You Think!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What English word retains the same pronunciation, even after you take away four of its five letters?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

Image
16 hours ago

Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.

Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.

To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.

It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.

“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.

“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”

A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.


The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.

Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.

“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”

A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.

“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”

*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz

Image