Consultation options for the rural area
Read more about what's being considered for these areas.
Lower speeds in rural environments |
Lower speeds in rural residential areas |
|
The Nelson Tasman area has 1522km of rural roads (720km unsealed). Many parts of our rural network are narrow or winding, and many roads have large ditches adjacent or poor sightlines. If we keep speed limits on these rural roads at 100km/h, best practice shows that we should undertake major and costly engineering improvements to make the road safer for these higher speeds. Given the size of the rural network, it is an unaffordable exercise. There are some sections of our network that have long straights and whilst it would be possible to have higher speeds here, crash data shows us this is where many crashes are occurring. |
The region has had a strong period of growth since speed limits were last modified. Many areas have seen more residential living in the rural environment. There have been a high number of requests to have the speed limits reduced here as many walkers, cyclists here share the road with vehicles |
If you want to better understand what we mean about the type of roads listed above,
check out this page with more details and photos of examples.
Description:
- 30 – 60km/h speed limit outside schools.
- Reducing 70 km/h limits to 60km/h.
- No other rural speed limits will be changed.
Pros:
- Reduction in number and severity of crashes within school areas.
- Little effect on travel times.
Cons:
- Little effect on the crash rate on the remainder of the rural network.
- Minimal reductions in vehicle operating costs.
- Does not address safety concerns for rural residents.
Costs:
- Signs at rural schools, including electronic variable signs. (Tasman $500,000)
- Traffic calming as required in future years. (Tasman $1M)
Description:
- 30 – 60km/h speed limit outside schools.
- Reducing 70 km/h limits to 60km/h.
- 50 – 60km/h rural residential areas.
- 60km/h winding and/or narrow unsealed roads.
- 80km/h on high risk roads and adjacent areas such as Kerr Hill Road and the Moutere Highway.
- Existing limits lower than these will not increase.
- Speeds are unchanged elsewhere.
Pros:
- Reduction in number and severity of crashes on high risk rural roads.
- Slightly more fuel efficient as higher speeds use more fuel.
- Address community concerns for safer speeds on high risk rural roads and rural residential areas.
- High risk roads such as Kerr Hill Road and the Moutere Highway have had a higher number of crashes than other roads. These roads have higher traffic volumes. Reduced speeds may lead to alternative local roads being used which are not at same standard as the likes of Tophouse Road and Moutere Highway. In order to reduce potential accidents on local roads, the adjacent area should have consistent speed limits.
Cons:
- Compliance with reduced speeds may be poor.
- Slightly increased journey times.
- Only partially addresses crash risk on winding, narrow sealed roads.
Costs:
- Signs at rural schools, including electronic variable signs. (Nelson $100,000 & Tasman $900,000)
- Traffic calming as required in future years. (Tasman $1M).
Description:
- 30 – 60km/h speed limit outside schools.
- Reducing 70 km/h limits to 60km/h.
- 50 – 60km/h for rural residential areas.
- 80km/h elsewhere (not State Highways).
- Existing limits lower than these will not increase.
Pros:
- Likely reduction in the number and severity of crashes on all local rural roads.
- Slightly more fuel efficient as higher speeds use more fuel.
- Address community concerns for safer speeds on high risk rural roads and rural residential areas.
- Speed limit change at rural residential (80km/h to 60km/h) easily understood.
- Consistency of speed limits will be easier to understand.
Cons:
- Poor compliance with reduced speeds possible.
- Increased journey time.
- Only partially addresses crash risk on sealed roads which might be narrow, winding, or other unsealed roads.
Costs:
- Signs at rural schools, including electronic variable signs. (Nelson $100,000 & Tasman $1M)
- Traffic calming as required in future years. (Tasman $1M).
Description:
- 30 – 60km/h speed limit outside schools.
- Reducing 70 km/h limits to 60km/h.
- 50 – 60km/h for rural residential areas.
- 60km/h for all unsealed roads.
- 60km/h for winding or narrow sealed rural roads.
- 80km/h for all other local rural roads within Nelson and Tasman.
- Existing limits lower than these will not increase.
Pros:
- Likely reduction in the number and severity of crashes on rural roads.
- More fuel efficient / fewer emissions.
- Speed limit change at rural residential and unsealed roads (80km/h to 60km/h) easily understood.
- Address community concerns for safer speeds in rural areas.
Cons:
- Poor compliance with reduced speeds is possible due to many zone changes.
- Increased journey time.
Costs:
- Signs at rural schools including electronic variable signs (Nelson$100,000 & Tasman $1.1M)
- Traffic calming as required in future years. (Tasman $1M)
See it on the map
Use this interactive map to zoom in on your neighbourhood for more detailed information.
If you need further explanation of any symbols or details on the map, check out this quick summary or the more in-depth guide.
