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2015/16 Speed Limit Review - Settlement Road,

Memo Information

TO -Pauanui Community Board FROM Sam Edlin - Roading Engineer DATE 23 March 2016 SUBJECT 2015/16 Speed Limit Review - Hikuai Settlement Road, Pauanui

1 Purpose of Report To seek comment from the Tairua-Pauanui Community Board regarding the proposed change to the speed limit on Hikuai Settlement Road, Pauanui.

2 Background Speed limits around are currently calculated using the Land Transport Rule - Setting of Speed Limits 2003 (the Speed Limit Rule). The objective of the Speed Limit rule is to contribute to a safe and efficient road network by: Establishing speed limits of 50km/h in urban traffic areas and 100km/h on rural roads and motorways. Authorising road controlling authorities to designate urban traffic areas, to set speed limits other than 50km/h on urban roads and less than 100km/h on rural roads, and to set temporary speed limits associated with work on or near the road and for special events. Promoting national uniformity in speed limits by requiring road controlling authorities to apply a consistent method to translate national speed limits policy into a safe and appropriate speed limit for any given road. A safe and appropriate speed limit is one that: Is regarded as reasonable by drivers and residents. Matches the instinctive driving speed of the responsible driver as reflected by the 85th percentile measured speed Takes into account perceived, real and concealed hazards. Is willingly enforced by police (i.e. it is not expected that drivers will ignore the speed limits). Is consistent with national speed policies.

A review of all speed limits on Thames-Coromandel District Council (TCDC) roads has not been carried out as the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is currently reviewing the way that speed limits are set nationwide and there will be a change in process coming up over the next few years. Staff have only reviewed the speed limits on two sections of TCDC's road network as safety concerns and the urgency of a review at these sites could not wait for the speed limit rule review to be completed. The two sites are: Hikuai Settlement Road at Pauanui and Ferry Road/Hikutaia Factory Road, Hikutaia.

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3 Issue Development of the new campground at 879 Hikuai Settlement Road has meant that the existing speed limit of 100km/h, on the 200-metre section of Hikuai Settlement Road from the existing speed limit sign towards Hikuai, is no longer consistent with the development on this section of road. 4 Discussion A 600-metre section of Hikuai Settlement Road from the existing 70km/h towards Hikuai was reviewed in order to determine the most appropriate location of the new start of the 70km/h speed limit.

From this exercise it was determined that extending the speed limit by 200-metres towards Hikuai is the most appropriate location based on the existing extent of development on Hikuai Settlement Road.

Consultation regarding the proposed speed limit has been undertaken with all property owners adjoining the section of Hikuai Settlement Road, where the speed limit is proposed to be reduced, NZTA, NZ Automobile Association (NZAA), NZ Police and the NZ Road Transport Forum.

The table below details those consulted with and the responses received:

Party consulted Address Submission For/Against? Comments with Received? Y/N Inspired Property 879 Hikuai Settlement No - - Limited Road Pauanui Yes Support - Existing requested development that speed on Hikuai restriction Settlement 896A Hikuai Settlement P Roscoe length be Road does Road Pauanui longer not currently justify further speed restriction Dixons Resources 896 Hikuai Settlement No - - Limited Road Pauanui NA No - - NZAA NA Yes Support - NZTA NA No - - NZ Police NZ Road Transport NA No - - Forum

Once comments from the Tairua-Pauanui Community Board have been received, a report will go to the Infrastructure committee asking for it to recommend the change to Council.

If Council approves the proposed speed limits the Speed limit Bylaw will be updated and the speed limit will then be legalised and signage will be amended onsite.

5 Suggested Resolution(s)

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That the Tairua-Pauanui Community Board: 1. Receives the report. 2. Reviews and comments on the proposed speed limit change to extend the existing 70km/h restriction 200-metres towards Hikuai on Hikuai Settlement Road, Pauanui

References-Tabled/Agenda Attachments Attachment A Speed restriction plan - Hikuai Settlement Road Attachment B Speed restriction aerial photo - Hikuai Settlement Road

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Attachment A

Attachment A speed restriction plan - Hikuai Settlement Road

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Attachment B

Attachment B Speed restriction aerial photo - Hikuai Settlement Road