CBD speed limits reduced to 30km/h – 200 new signs installed
News from Let’s Get Wellington Moving
From today, the speed limit on most of Wellington’s central city streets will change from 50km/h to 30km/h (main roads will remain at 50km/h).
Lowering the speed limit to 30km/h in the central city is one of the early deliverables under the Let’s Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) programme – aimed at making the central city safer and more pleasant for people walking and on bikes.
Wellington City Councillors unanimously approved the speed limit changes on 11 June.
More than 200 30km/h speed limit signs have been installed on streets where the speed limits are changing. Road markings will be updated from around mid-September when weather improves.
Councillor Jenny Condie, the Council’s Associate Transport Portfolio lead, says the 30km/h speed limits are a big change for the city and people should take extra care on their Monday morning commute, and as they go about their daily business in the central city.
“It’s going to take a little while for everyone to adjust so we’re encouraging drivers to look out for the 30km/h signs, slow down and give people space. Lowering the speed in Wellington’s CBD is part of making longer-term changes for people walking, biking and using public transport that are at the heart of other cities around the world.”
A two-week radio and online awareness campaign started on Wednesday to remind people about the speed limit change. Drivers travelling through the city are encouraged to use the main roads, such as the waterfront Quays, Vivian Street, Karo Drive, Taranaki Street and Kent and Cambridge Terraces which remain at 50km/h.
Mayor Andy Foster says: “Extending the existing 30km/h speed limit on the Golden Mile to most of the other streets in the area comes at the same time as Let’s Get Wellington Moving is asking for feedback on how the Golden Mile itself could be improved. Our overall aim is to make a safer and more attractive central city, providing better amenity for street-level cafes, restaurants, outdoor public spaces and parks, and encouraging more people to walk, bike, and spend time.”
Chair of the Regional Council’s Transport Committee Roger Blakeley says: “The measure of any modern city is the ease and safety of getting around. Reducing speeds will make smaller streets quieter and safer to move around as traffic shifts to major roads. This will make Wellington’s city centre a much more pleasant environment for people walking, cycling and catching public transport.”
With a growing population, it’s crucial more of us use public transport, walk or bike. Safer central city speeds will help to encourage this.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Senior Manager Robyn Elston says Let’s Get Wellington Moving brings together transport improvements and urban development to create the kind of city people want to live and work in. Reducing speeds in the central city brings us a step closer to that.
“We also need to acknowledge the important role the road network plays in moving people and goods to and through the city. Retaining a 50km/h speed limit on the main roads gives a strong direction on where the through traffic should go,” says Ms Elston.
Let’s Get Wellington Moving’s vision is for Wellington to be a great harbour city, accessible to all, with attractive places, shared streets, and efficient local and regional journeys.
Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz
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This is a most encouraging result of the work of Let’s Get Wellington Moving, the City Council, the Regional Council and Waka Kotahi/NZ Transport Agency. The reductions in noise and air pollution, and in the risks to walkers, people in wheel-chairs, walking frames and prams, cyclists and scooter riders will be palpable and very much appreciated. The success of the change will depend on drivers complying with the 30 km/hr limit, and with WCC and our police enforcing the new limit with radar speed-traps and fines for speedsters.
Nero fiddles while Rome burns
@ Selfie stick: Exactly. But at least there was method in Nero’s madness. He cleared slums for his new palace. Let’s Get Wellington Moving? Not so much
“Let’s Get Welly Moving”, you’ve got to be kidding! This crowd won’t be happy until they have someone walking and waving a red flag in front of every vehicle travelling in the city!
Their actions to date seem to be the complete opposite of their name. Sounds like it should read “Let’s Make Wellington Slower”.
About time! This is going to make the city feel way more safer and relaxing.
John M, Alan: Let’s Get Wellington Moving is about moving people rather than moving vehicles: reducing maximum speeds will make it easier for the many people who are not in vehicles to get around, and safer for all.
Given the size of the CBD and the fact that the main through roads are not affected, any changes to average speeds and driving times will be minimal.