Speed limits on rural roads in the spotlight
Locals are being urged to have their say on the speeds traffic can travel on the area’s roads, which have been found to be high-risk or that have been affected by rapid residential growth.
Feedback can be given by making submissions on a Waikato District Council by-law.
Submissions are open now and close on November 9 . A drop-in/information session will be held in the Ngaruawahia Memorial Hall, Thursday 1 November, 3.30pm-7.30pm.
One councillor urged locals to make submissions – whether for or against the suggested options.
It was a big issue for the community and now was the time to make their voices heard.
“We want to hear from as many in our community as possible,” Tamahere councillor Aksel Bech told N8N sister website Tamahere Forum.
Waikato District Council Roading Safety engineer Gareth Bellamy hopes the public will get involved and make submissions.
“This process is largely being driven by our community, so we are very keen to hear their thoughts on our proposed speed limit reductions, either at one of our drop-in sessions or via the website,” he said.
The social cost of car crashes in the Waikato District is estimated to be between $73 and $77 million every year.
There are, on average, eight deaths and 219 injuries (59 of them serious) caused by accidents on the district’s roads every year.
Those statistics highlight the need for a safer road system in the district, council said. They believed communities want safer speeds around where they live, and safer speeds where children go to school.
Residents are urged to visit Waikato District Council’s website to look at the roads earmarked for a speed limit reduction.
To view an overview of the proposed local changes and find submission forms click here.
Forms are also available at council offices and libraries.
Submissions close on November 9. Submitters can make a presentation to the council at a hearing scheduled for December 12.
For more information call 0800 492 452.
