We have several speed bumps around Waikawa Beach, including three along Strathnaver Drive, one on Sarah Street and another on Drake Street. There’s also at least one in the streets accessed from the Emma Drive intersection.
A recent rule change has given local Councils greater powers to add and remove speed bumps, along with cycle lanes and footpaths — after public consultation. The Land Transport Rule: Street Layouts 2023 comes into effect on 21 August 2023. A Beehive Press Release, Councils empowered to reshape streets to meet local needs, explains what this means:
The Government has given councils new powers to make street changes more easily in pursuit of locally agreed needs and objectives, Transport Minister David Parker said today.
“Councils have asked for law change that gives them greater autonomy in how they modify their streets. …
“Councils will have greater ability to make roads around schools and kura safer …
“Councils will be able to more easily trial, remove, add or changes to streets such as speed bumps, cycle lanes, bus lanes and footpaths, and to make these changes permanent if they prove successful. Reshaping streets does not remove a local authority’s obligation to consult with the public.
“It will also be easier for communities to hold short public street events, which will make quiet, local streets safer for children to play and help neighbours come together.
Waka Kotahi has a page of detailed information at Reshaping Streets.
Speaking for myself, I’d be delighted if the speedbumps on Strathnaver Drive were to be removed. The curves along the kilometre of Strathnaver Drive closest to Sarah Street already force vehicles to slow down; the speed bumps are very annoying and also redundant, especially since the speed limit was reduced from 100 to 60 Kph along there back in August 2019. See Local road speeds reduced to 80 or 60 Kph as of August 2019.
