The speed limit on the Te Puke Highway at Waitangi is going to be lowered to 60km/h.

Lowering the speed limit from 70km/h between Kenana Road to the eastern side of the Kaituna Bridge will take place next month, the Western Bay of Plenty District Council announced today.

Variable 40 km/h signs will also be placed outside the Waitangi School in June. The 40km/h limit will operate during drop-off and pick-up times.

The changes will provide a safer environment for pedestrians and students at the school and local marae, and are strongly supported by the community, says council transport manager Alex Finn.

'We received 99 submissions on the proposal – the high majority in favour of both the temporary school speed and lowering the overall speed limit.

'We also had strong support from various organisations. Elected Members took this into account, as well as technical advice from staff balancing safety, traffic volume and efficient travel.”

At the time of consultation Council originally proposed a 50km/h speed limit for the stretch of highway which was consistent with national policy at the time.

”Since then new national guidelines have come in to force which do not support new 50km/h speed limits for rural settlements, such as Waitangi,” says Alex.

All new speed limits should align with the New Zealand Transport Agency's recent Speed Management Guide, which allows speed limits to be 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 or 110 km/h. Exceptions 50km/h are only granted under limited circumstances.

'This is why we've gone with 60km/h.”

The new speed restriction, along with the new urban improvements, will increase road safety in Waitangi and the appearance of the road, he says.

'We'd like to thank the community for their valuable contribution to this process.”