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2015/16 Speed Limit Review

Memo Information

TO Infrastructure Committee FROM Sam Edlin - Roading Engineer DATE 12 May 2016 SUBJECT 2015/16 Speed Limit Review

1 Purpose of Report For the Infrastructure Committee to consider the proposed speed limits on Ferry Road and Hikutaia Factory Road, Hikutaia and Settlement Road, Hikuai and provide a recommendation to Council.

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 there is a national review of speed management underway which includes reviewing the way that speed limits are set. The outcomes from this review are unlikely to be confirmed for another 12 months.

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) provided advice that speed limit reviews should only be undertaken at sites with an immediate issue to be addressed.

Staff have therefore 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 completion of the speed limit rule review. The two sites are: Hikuai Settlement Road at Hikuai and Ferry Road/Hikutaia Factory Road, in Hikutaia.

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Reports have been presented to the Thames and - Community Boards at their 11 April meetings. The Community Boards were asked to provide comments on the proposed speed limit changes and their respective meeting resolutions are in Attachment A of this report.

3 Issue Hikuai Settlement Road, Pauanui 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 west of Pauanui from the existing speed limit sign towards Hikuai, is no longer consistent with the development on this section of road.

Ferry Road and Hikutaia Factory Road, Hikutaia The legal speed limit (100km/h) on TCDC's portion of Ferry Road is currently inconsistent with the speed limit on SH26 and the adjoining length of Ferry Road administered by HDC which are both 70km/h.

4 Discussion Hikuai Settlement Road, Pauanui 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

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Party consulted Address Submission For/Against? Comments with Received? Y/N Although no response has been received from the regional road policing unit, Jim Corbett has confirmed NZ Police NA No - from a local policing perspective that they have no issues with the proposed speed limit changes. NZ Road Transport NA No - - Forum

Ferry Road and Hikutaia Factory Road, Hikutaia TCDC owns and maintains 698 metres of Ferry Road from State Highway 26 to the Hikutaia River. Within this length of Ferry Road, TCDC also maintains the side road, Hikutaia Factory Road. Ferry Road continues on past the Hikutaia River where the road is owned and maintained by Council (HDC).

The runs along the side of Ferry Road from State Highway 26 over the bridge onto the HDC maintained portion of Ferry Road then re-enters the rail corridor. The HDC portion of Ferry Road has a speed limit of 70km/hr. The TCDC portion of Ferry Road has a legal speed limit of 100km/hr, however is sign posted as 70km/hr. Consultation regarding the proposed speed limit has been undertaken with all property owners adjoining Ferry Road and Hikutaia Factory Road, 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 with Address Submission For/ Received? Against Y/N D Knight and NWM Trustees 110 8123 SH26, 16 Ferry No - Ltd Road and 6 Ferry Road J D Newton and G Newton 11 Ferry Road Hikutaia No - D P Craig and C R Craig 13 Ferry Road Hikutaia No - R C Lambert and M A Stiles 21 Ferry Road Hikutaia Yes Support S G Marson and W R Marson 15 Ferry Road Hikutaia No - P S Soar 31 Ferry Road Hikutaia No - P M Porter 35 Ferry Road Hikutaia No - K L Deane 37 Ferry Road Hikutaia No - 7 Hikutaia Factory No - R A Tangney and B A Tangney Road Hikutaia

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Party consulted with Address Submission For/ Received? Against Y/N 11,13 & 15 Hikutaia No - N King Factory Road P J Thorburn 53 Ferry Road Hikutaia No - S T Helg and A L Helg 59 Ferry Road Hikutaia No - 5 Hikutaia Factory No - G R Julian Road Hikutaia D E Nunn 23 Ferry Road Hikutaia No - P J Wilton and C R Jackson 7 Ferry Road Hikutaia No - D F Rooney and M Rooney 9 Ferry Road Hikutaia No - P S Crawford 17 Ferry Road Hikutaia No - M K W Henry and S M Attwel 19 Ferry Road Hikutaia No - 8099 Sh26 - - No - W I Penwarden and C A Penwarden Kopu Hikutaia 9 Hikutaia Factory No - I Coates and C Coates Road Hikutaia 3 Hikutaia Factory No - T E S R Paki Road Hikutaia NZAA NA No - NZTA NA Yes Support Although no response has been received from the regional road policing unit, Jim Corbett has NZ Police NA No confirmed from a local policing perspective that they have no issues with the proposed speed limit changes. NZ Road Transport Forum NA No -

Next Actions: The Infrastructure Committee recommendation will be considered by Council at the 29 June Council meeting.

If Council approve the proposed speed limits, the Speed Limit Bylaw schedule will be updated and the speed limit will then be legalised with signage amended onsite as required.

5 Suggested Resolution(s) That the Infrastructure Committee: 1. Receives the '2015/16 Speed Limit Review ' report, dated 12 May 2016. 2. Recommends that Council approve the proposed speed limit change from 100km/h to

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70km/h on both Ferry Road and Hikutaia Factory Road, Hikutaia and amends the Speed Limit Bylaw schedule accordingly effective immediately. 3. Recommends that Council approve the proposed speed limit change to extend the existing 70km/h restriction 200 metres towards Hikuai on Hikuai Settlement Road, Pauanui and amends the Speed Limit Bylaw schedule accordingly effective from 1 July 2016

References-Tabled/Agenda Attachments Attachment A Thames and Tairua-Pauanui Community Board resolutions Attachment B Speed restriction plans - Hikutaia and Pauanui Attachment C Speed restriction aerial photos - Hikutaia and Pauanui

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Attachment A Attachment A Thames and Tairua-Pauanui Community Board resolutions

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Attachment B Attachment B speed restriction plans - Hikutaia and Pauanui

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Attachment C Attachment C Speed restriction aerial photos - Hikutaia and Pauanui …