Discussion on Te Puke speeds

The proposed speed limits for Te Puke will come under close scrutiny today as residents get a chance to voice their opinions in the township with councillors.

From 10am today, Western Bay of Plenty District Council are opening up the floor to those who wish to speak in support or in opposition to a number of proposed limits after more than 400 submissions were received.


The public get a chance to speak to councillors on the proposed speed changes in Te Puke from today. Photo: File.

The hearing, set to take place over the next two days at the Te Puke War Memorial Hall, comes after a month-long submission process on the variety of speed limit changes and new names proposed for State Highway 2 between Domain Road and Paengaroa.

The highway will revert to a local road once the Tauranga Eastern Link opens later this year.

In an effort to improve safety and reflect the changed function of the road, council is proposing an 80km/h limit on rural sections.

It is also proposing to extend the 50km/h section to the Domain Road side of Te Puke Quarry Road and to extend the 70km/h limit in the same area.

On the east side of Te Puke, the proposal is to replace the present 80km/h section with a new 70 km/h limit.

Final submission numbers to Western Bay of Plenty District Council show 412 submissions regarding the speed limit suggestions, with 185 concerning road names received during the submission process.

And the majority of submissions on speed limits is to retain the status quo, particularly the 100km sections, according to council.

Along with the speed limits, two new stretches of road need to be renamed – from Domain Road to Te Puke Quarry Road (Western end) and from No 1 Road to the intersection with SH33 at Paengaroa (Eastern end).

Jellicoe Street, from Te Puke Quarry Road through Te Puke to No 1 Road, will not be changed.

Proposed names so far for the western side of the existing SH2 are McNaughton Road, Long Swamp Road, Packhouse Road, Whiteside Road, Jutland Road (relating to the WWI naval battle involving Admiral John Jellicoe), Green Road and Gold Road.

Suggestions for the Eastern stretch are Goodness Highway, Te Kapua Road (Captain of the Te Arawa canoe), Huanui Highway (translation – Highway), Jutland Road, Packhouse Road, Green Road and Gold Road.

Following this week's hearing, council staff will provide a summary of submissions and recommendations for the operations committee to deliberate on.

A final decision will be made at the committee's meeting on April 22 at 1.30pm.

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2 comments

Speed

Posted on 30-03-2015 21:11 | By joe p

I for one will agree on these speed limits, having worked around Te Puke in the past few weeks doing small repair jobs, it's been an interesting experience trying to negotiate some of the intersections in the current 70km areas, its very dangerous as some vehicles are driving faster than the speed limit leaving no room for error. We need to lower the speed limits on the outer fringes to make things safer for all users. Also we need one lane for through traffic in our town with the other lane used for parking purposes to stop drivers passing & under passing in the town area, it's damn dangerous when trying to reverse out of a car park because you can't see what's coming. Let's get it right guys, this is the time to make changes.


Common sense please

Posted on 31-03-2015 12:10 | By Murray.Guy

Put to one side the aspirations of the NZTA and local authorities as they are desperate to secure maximum vehicle and toll income. The present roading in place has existing speed limits relevant to risk factors and design. Clearly risks will be significantly reduced with the diversion of heavy vehicles and cars on to the Eastern Highway. If any rational existed to reduce speed limits then surely it is now, not after. Any unnecessary reduced speed limits in the absence of the NZTA investing in 'courtesy/passing lanes' ends up with frustrated drivers and more injuries and worse! Open the Eastern Arterial, understand the impact and reduced flows, then if necessary, address 'real issues' rather than the guessing games of today.


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