Consultation options for the urban area
We would like you to consider four different options for lower speed limits in urban areas. Lowering speed around schools is the minimum we are expected to do by law but the other three options include lower speed limits in other areas where cars, pedestrians and cyclists are likely to mix. Remember, whatever the cause of the accident, if it happens at a lower speed the people involved are much more likely to survive with nothing more serious than a minor injury.
See the full list of urban areas included here.
Lower speeds around schools |
Lower speeds around town centres |
Children
are less visible, less able to see the road over parked vehicles and other
obstacles and have a less developed ability to judge distance and speed, making
them our most vulnerable road users. Many schools also act as community hubs,
hosting before or after- school care, school sports and community classes,
meaning high activity times may vary from location to location. We will be
working with each of our school communities on the best approach for their
areas. |
Town
centres are busy, with people sharing the road using different transport
options – all in close proximity to cars. Vehicles travelling at lower speeds
have a shorter stopping distance – a few metres can make all the difference.
30km/h is the internationally accepted speed to greatly reduce the chances of
serious injury or worse. |
Description:
- 30km/h speed limit outside schools.
- Where a school is on a busy urban connector road, the speed limit will be variable 50/30km/h.
- Where school boundaries are on quieter local roads, the speed limit will be permanent 30km/h.
- We have worked closely with specific schools about their individual requirements before consultation.
- We are required to use reasonable efforts to have at least 40% of speed limits for roads outside schools changed by 30 June 2024, and the remainder must be completed by 31 December 2027.
- All other speed limits will be unchanged.
Pros:
- Reduction in number and severity of crashes within the 30km/h area(s).
- Parents may be more willing to enable their child to walk or cycle to school safely, this will help improve health and reduce congestion.
- Travel times would not increase to the same extent as the other options.
Cons:
- No safety benefits beyond the school zones.
- Numbers of children who walk or cycle to school unlikely to significantly increase without infrastructure improvements.
- There may be more traffic on local streets around schools as a result of reduced speed on urban connector roads as people may try to find alternative routes (rat run).
Costs:
- Signs at urban schools, including electronic variable signs. (Nelson $700,000 & Tasman $400,000)
- Traffic calming as required in future years . (Nelson $4.7M & Tasman $1.5M)
Description:
- 30km/h speed limit outside schools, the school’s broader neighbourhood, and selected town or suburban centres, including tourist areas.
- Urban connector roads in these areas will continue to be 50km/h (with 30km/h variable where required). Examples of urban connector roads: Salisbury Road and Waimea Road.
- The community have opportunity to feedback on the size of the selected zones.
- Some early childhood centres have been included where they fall within adjacent school and town centre and tourist zones.
Pros:
- Reduction in number and severity of crashes, particularly pedestrian and cycle crashes, within the 30km/h area(s).
- Encourage more children to walk or cycle to school safely.
- Creates a safer, more pleasant community, shopping, business and school environment.
- Encourages more active ways of travelling, reducing congestion and improving health.
- The majority of our towns either have schools and/or town centres clustered together.
Cons:
- Potential confusion if speed limits seem inconsistent.
- Safety benefits only occur within areas that have reduced speed limits.
- There may be more traffic on local streets around schools as a result of reduced speed on urban connector roads as people may try to find alternative routes (rat run).
Costs:
- Signs at urban schools, including electronic variable signs. (Nelson $700,000 & Tasman $400,000)
- Traffic calming as required in future years . (Nelson $8.9M & Tasman $3.1M).
Description:
- 40km/h speed limit on local urban streets.
- Urban connectors in these areas will stay at 50km/h if there is an existing or planned separated cycleway, otherwise they will drop to 40km/h.
- Where a school is on an urban connector, the speed limit will be variable 30km/h.
- Where a school is on a local street, the speed limit will be permanent 30km/h.
Pros:
- Reduction in number and severity of crashes, particularly pedestrian and cycle crashes, within the 40km/h area(s).
- Safer for all road users.
- Will encourage more active ways of travelling, reducing congestion and improving health.
Cons:
- Will not reduce the severity of crashes as much as Urban Option D, 30km/h does.
- Increased journey times for vehicles on local streets.
- Would create a range of 30/40/50km/h limits which may be confusing for road users.
Costs:
- Signs at urban schools, including electronic variable signs. (Nelson $1M & Tasman $500,000)
- Traffic calming as required in future years . (Nelson $8.9M & Tasman $7M).
Description:
- 30km/h speed limit on all local urban streets.
- Urban connectors with separated cycle facilities will continue to be 50km/h, otherwise, they will drop to 40km/h.
- Where a school is on an urban connector, the speed limit will be variable 30km/h.
Pros:
- Reduction in number and severity of crashes, particularly pedestrian and cycle crashes, within the 30km/h area(s).
- Consistency of limits easier to understand.
- Local streets become safer, more pleasant overall urban environment as fewer cars use them as through routes.
- Encourages more active ways of travelling, consistent with Nelson’s E Tū Whakatū Active Travel Strategy and Tasman’s Walking and Cycling Strategy.
Cons:
- Lack of compliance with speed limit could reduce safety benefits.
- Increased journey times for vehicles on local streets.
- Would create a range of 30/40/50km/h limits which may be confusing for road users.
Costs:
- Signs at urban schools, including electronic variable signs. (Nelson $700,000 & Tasman $400,000
- Traffic calming as required in future years. (Nelson $4.7M & Tasman $3.7M)
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.
