Onetangi Straight faces speed limit reduction

Ongoing safety fears about fast vehicles on Onetangi Straight have finally hit home with the likelihood of a 10kph cut in the speed limit next year.

Members of the New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA) and the Automobile Association met Auckland City Council traffic engineers and Waiheke Community Board members on Thursday morning to discuss the issue.

The meeting had been requested by the community board following several pleas by police and Dr Rebecca Potts over the years to cut the limit and reduce accidents.

A reduction from 70kph to 50kph had been originally proposed but it is now more likely to be set at 60kph.

Council says it will carry out an assessment of the existing speed limit along Onetangi Road to update its records before submitting a final proposal to the transport authority.

Council roading officer Reg Cuthers thinks, at this stage, Auckland City could have the review of the speed limit completed by early next month.

"A proposal will then go to the authority for endorsement," he says.

Mr Cuthers says based on the outcome of the endorsement and the other major stakeholders, council will proceed with the public consultation and bylaw process to lower the speed limit on Onetangi Straight in 2010.

He says traffic calming measures have also been proposed that include installation of side islands to narrow the road width.

Mr Cuthers lists other more general works proposed for the straight - improvements to the road's geometry and condition, and facilities such as crossings and a cycle lane where possible.

He says the proposed works are based on funding availability and likely to commence in the year 2011/12 and 2012/13.

Community board chairman Tony Sears says it has taken five years to get anywhere over changing the speed limit - but now it could happen quite quickly.

He says the meeting was helpful in finding ways to address the problem but he had said "no" to a proposal by council for a survey.

He believes the message has got through to the transport authority that islanders want the speed limit lowered even if it is less than originally envisaged.

"I got the impression council officers will recommend to the authority the speed limit drops to 60kph. But we'd be happy with that. And I think the authority will support it."

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