Council Committee Supports New Plymouth CBD 30km/h Zone

A 30km/h speed limit in central New Plymouth is one step closer to being implemented.

Tonight (Tuesday) the Monitoring Committee recommended the Council approves the new speed limit in the city’s CBD. The Council will decide on the matter at its meeting on 24 April.

If approved, the measures would be effective from 1 July this year.

Manager Roading Assets Max Aves says the aim is to create an environment where vehicle speeds are consistently lower and it is safer for people to walk, cycle, drive, push prams and use mobility scooters in the CBD.

The average vehicle speed in the CBD is about 32km/h, ranging from 43.6km/h on Queen Street to 18.1km/h on Brougham Street.

A public survey in December last year netted 193 responses. The majority of respondents believed a lower speed limit would improve safety, make it easier to move around the CBD and increase the city’s vibrancy.

Twelve community organisations – including advocacy groups for walking, cycling and older people; business and transport bodies; the police and Taranaki District Health Board – were also asked for their comments. Of the 11 which responded, all supported the lower speed limit.

If approved at the next Council meeting, the speed limit would apply to the following streets:

Queen Street.
Egmont Street.
Robe Street from Powderham Street to Devon Street West.
Brougham Street from Powderham to Ariki streets.
Currie Street.
Liardet Street from St Aubyn/Molesworth to Courtenay streets.
Gover Street from Molesworth to Courtenay streets.
Devon Street West from Currie to Queen streets.
Devon Street East from Currie to Gover streets.
King Street from Queen to Brougham streets.
Ariki Street.
Gill Street from Currie to Gover streets.

A 30km/h limit is used in shopping districts around the country including Hamilton, Blenheim, Mt Maunganui and Wellington.