When we first arrived at Waikawa Beach 10 years ago locals had for some years been pushing Horowhenua District Council for reduced speed limits, especially over summer. Quite often the quiet roads are used by pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders of all ages who may mosey along fairly oblivious to traffic. After all, this is a quiet beach community.
That request never gained any traction, but now change is on track, thanks to the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits.
According to the Agenda for the 19 July 2023 Council Ordinary Meeting Item 6.2, Page 49 (HDC Agenda 45 MB PDF):
Horowhenua District Council is required to develop and consult on a Speed Management Plan to set safe and appropriate speed limits in the Horowhenua District (excluding State Highways). The process that Horowhenua District Council is required to follow and the content and form of the Speed Management Plan is outlined in the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2002.
Note: elsewhere the document refers to the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022
. I believe the 2002 mentioned above is probably a typo.
You may find it useful to read the whole report included in the Agenda, as this post only touches on the changes proposed for Waikawa Beach (and Manakau).
There is a great deal of information in the document about requirements and processes.
Council notes officers have developed the Draft Speed Management Plan for community engagement based on previously received feedback to implement the minimum requirements, except with the inclusion of Manakau and Waikawa Beach for lower speeds at those communities request. …
The primary purpose of this new process is to facilitate the implementation of safe and appropriate speeds to improve safety, save lives and prevent debilitating injuries. A safe and appropriate speed is a speed limit that is safe according to the standards set by the Safe System and appropriate in terms of aligning with community wellbeing objectives as well as the movement and place function, design and infrastructure of the street or road. Additional guidance on the process that Council is required to follow has been provided by Waka Kotahi in The Speed Management Guide.
Page 60 clarifies:
Safe and appropriate speeds give people the best chance of survival without serious injury if they are involved in a crash. A pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle at 30km/h has a strong chance of surviving and avoiding serious injury. The probability of a pedestrian being killed rises as impact speed increases. The probability approximately doubles between 30km/h and 40km/h and again from 40k/h to 50km/h.
Speed Limits on Local Roads
We are proposing to reduce speed limits in Manakau and Waikawa Beach. This is because the roads in these areas have some of the following characteristics:
- They are characterised as local streets that provide quiet and safe residential access for people of all ages and abilities,
- There are no or few footpaths,
- People walk, cycle, or ride horses on the road or roadside,
- Some of the roads are very narrow.
In addition, members of these communities have previously asked for speed limits to be reduced during the Long Term Plan consultation process. Therefore we are proposing the following changes as shown on the maps below. Pink indicates a proposed change in speed limit to 30km/h.
If these proposed changes are implemented, to support lower speed limits in these areas, a programme will be developed to deliver infrastructure improvements where necessary to physically change environments to reduce traffic speeds. This increases safety and encourages a shift to multi-modal transport options.
We are proposing to make these changes in year one of the programme.
On Pages 75 & 76 are maps showing the proposals for Waikawa Beach and Manakau.
In the case of Waikawa Beach, after entering the village all streets will have speeds of 30 Kph. The exception is Strathnaver Drive which will have a few metres at 30 Kph and then remain at its current 60 Kph. Reay Mackay Grove will be 30 Kph.
If Councillors choose to adopt the proposal we can expect it will then come out to us for community consultation.
