30kmh speed limit proposed for an Auckland suburb

Tuesday, 23 October 2018

Local politician and Te Atatū resident Shane Henderson has welcomed the proposal to reduce the speed limit to 30kmh.

An Auckland suburb could soon have a 30kmh speed limit.

Auckland Transport is looking at a 'survivable speed plan' for much of the residential area of Te Atatū South, as well as other measures to slow vehicles in the area.

Spokesperson Joanna Glasswell said the only other area in the city with a 30kmh zone was Wynyard Quarter downtown, implemented last year.

Balmoral had speed calming measures but its speed limit was still 50kmh, she said.

Te Atatū South is between Henderson and the Northwestern Motorway.

Network safety manager Randhir Karma said safety was paramount.

'If a person is hit by a vehicle travelling at 50kmh, the risk of death is 80 per cent. If they are hit at 30kmh, that risk reduces to 10 per cent,' Karma said.

An illustration of proposed traffic calming in Te Atatū South.

'We want to create a slower speed environment in Te Atatū South based on what our analysis of local crash data and vehicle speeds is telling us, the number of schools, parks and shops in the area, and safety concerns from residents.'

He said the project, partially funded by the regional fuel tax, was part of Auckland Transport's commitment to reduce death and serious injuries on the roads by 60 per cent in the next 10 years.

'We want to make our residential streets safer for everyone, whether they walk, ride bikes or motorcycles, or drive.'

Auckland Transport was calling for feedback on the proposal which would also include installing speed tables, speed humps and raised intersections.

Construction was expected to be completed in mid-2019.

Henderson-Massey Local Board chairman and Te Atatū South resident Shane Henderson welcomed the proposal.

'Anyone who lives in this area will know that speeding vehicles are a real issue and pose a significant danger to pedestrians and other vehicles.'

Public feedback was open until November 18.

Te Atatū South is located southwest of the Northwestern motorway, bounded by Te Atatū and Edmonton roads to the south, and Central Park Dr and Henderson Creek to the west.