Regional Speed Management Plan
Reducing the speed limits on local roads around schools and towns is a key focus that will achieve significant safety benefits for the community.
We have introduced the first regional Speed Management Plan for the West Coast, outlining the speed limit changes on our roads around local schools, towns, and areas in the Buller, Grey, and Westland Districts. Roads in the Department of Conservation network are also included. We want to know what you think and are seeking your feedback from 14 March until 16 April 2024 at 5pm.
The Speed Management Plan provides our ten-year vision and the first three-year program for implementing safe and appropriate speed limits across local roads in our region. The plan details how our region will transition from current speed limits to a new, more flexible approach that better acknowledges the surrounding environment in our communities.
This initiative is a big step forward in our commitment to ensuring safer roads for all road users and our dedication to improving safety standards across the country.
Why does this matter?
There were seven fatal crashes and 46 serious injuries in the Westland, Buller, and Grey Districts between 2018 and 2022. The seven fatal crashes alone resulted in a social cost of around $35 million. This highlights the financial impact of these incidents and the need for effective measures to improve road safety and keep our community safe.
To support the vision of a safe, resilient, and connected transport network, we need to create a transport network that is safe for all users with the target of reducing deaths and serious injuries on local roads in our region.
Our Approach
We have prioritised schools and high-priority roads and areas for speed limit reviews based on evidence-based risk profiles. Not all changes are going to occur at once, we are using a staged approach to speed management and changes will occur over the next three years.
Proposed speed changes for local roads outside schools will be implemented by June 2024.
Proposed speed changes for high-priority roads and areas will be implemented by June 2026.
Speed changes around schools in the region
We are proposing to introduce safe speed limits outside schools and are looking to lower speed limits to permanent and variable 30km/h for schools in urban and rural residential areas. We are also proposing lower speed limits around schools to enhance safety, particularly during times when children are crossing the street or being picked up and dropped off.
Schools located on State Highways are excluded, as they fall under the responsibility of New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
Safe speeds will be introduced to the following schools in each district.
For current and proposed speed limits outside schools in:
Buller, click here.
Grey, click here.
Westland, click here.
Speed changes on high-priority roads and areas
We are planning to lower speeds on selected high-priority roads and areas to create a safer environment. We have proposed lowering speed limits to 30 km/h for towns and 40 km/h to 60 km/h for urban fringe and rural roads. These speeds make it a safer environment for all, and if crashes do occur, these lower speeds are more survivable.
Safe speeds will be introduced to the following high-priority roads and areas in each district.
For current and proposed speed limits on high-priority roads and areas in:
Buller – click here.
Grey – click here.
Westland – click here.
Safe speeds are also being proposed for roads within the Department of Conservation (DOC) roading network. For the current and proposed speed limits for DOC, click here.
We want to hear from you
We are asking for your feedback on the proposed speeds on high-priority roads and areas in Buller, Grey, and Westland. Your feedback will be provided to each District Council and the elected members will decide on the final speed limit changes.
Submissions for the Draft Speed Management Plan closed on Tuesday 16 April 2024 at 5pm.
