30kmh speed limit will 'make for a nicer place to live'
Sunday, 2 February 2020
Wellington looks set to reduce speed limits on almost all of the city's CBD streets, and some want the changes to go even further.
The proposed revamp would result in speed limits being reduced to 30kmh on all CBD streets except the waterfront quays and main roads.
It would mean reduced speeds on about 50 streets between Wellington Railway Station and the Basin Reserve, taking in The Terrace and Willis St on the western boundary and extending to - but not including - Kent/Cambridge Terrace on the eastern side.
The only roads that would be spared are State Highway 1 on Vivian St and Karo Drive, the waterfront quays, and Kent/Cambridge Terrace.
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Taranaki St was also set to be included, but was removed from the proposal following public consultation.
The wide-ranging changes have drawn criticism from some groups, who say many of the speed reductions are not necessary, but others are calling for the shake-up to go even further.
A submission from the Mt Victoria Residents Association, which has over 100 members, said the proposal should include Kent/Cambridge Terrace, Cable and Wakefield streets, and all of Oriental Pde, which is currently 40kmh.
'A consistent 30kmh speed limit would along all of the quays and into Oriental Pde will improve connectivity with the waterfront and beach, make compliance easier, and make for a nicer place to live,' the submission said.
In total, 15 per cent of comments called for more streets to be included in the proposal.
But other groups, such as the Automobile Association, said the proposed changes were going too far.
'There are some streets currently proposed for 30kmh that we consider operate as urban arterial routes and therefore should remain at 50kmh.'
Apart from Taranaki St, which has been taken out of the proposal, the AA also opposed changes to The Terrace, Bowen St, and Victoria St from Ghuznee St to Webb St.
The Terrace should become a variable speed zone outside of peak hours, while a two-way cycle lane between Lambton Quay and the waterfront would be a better option for Bowen St, the AA said.
Victoria St was a main arterial route and should not be altered.
The Wellington Chamber of Commerce said reducing speed limits could actually lead to 'perverse outcomes' such as more pedestrian injuries, not fewer.
It pointed to an AA study which showed that 'if speed limits were lowered, more people would cross streets unsafely and be injured'.
'The Chamber believes that speed signs showing 30kmh may create a false sense of safety and result in unsafe behaviour from pedestrians and cyclists in crossing these streets.'
The proposal is part of the $6.4 billion Let's Get Wellington Moving programme, and also includes plans to remove private vehicles from most of the Golden Mile.
A submission from the Disabled Persons Assembly argued e-scooters should also be banned from all central city footpaths because they presented a safety risk to other footpath users.
Overall, 1190 comments were received on the proposals. They included 384 positive comments and 157 negative, with the remainder offering partial or conditional support.
A final proposal will go out for public feedback in March, with the first changes to be finalised in May.