The formal consultation process over the proposed speed reductions on SH6 between Hope and Wakefield draws to a close on 18 December, so if you haven’t yet had your say and you’d like to, now’s the time to do it.
The New Zealand Transport Agency is proposing that the speed limits on that 10km stretch of road are lowered. It’s suggested two parts of that highway drop from 100km to 80km, while two other sections face a reduction from 70km to 60km. The 80km section, which runs past the Brightwater intersection, will remain unchanged.
NZTA regional relationships director, Jim Harland, says, “Some of the crashes on this road are at intersections. People have told us it’s difficult to judge the speed of oncoming vehicles, which means some drivers make risky
decisions, like pulling out when it is not safe.
“We know more development is planned and the population will grow, making this road even busier. This proposal is an attempt to make sure the speed limits are safe and appropriate.”
Each day, around 11,500 vehicles travel between Hope and Brightwater, and 8,500 travel between Brightwater and Wakefield.
In the last decade, from 2009 to 2018, there were 98 crashes on the highway between Hope and Wakefield, where three people were killed and 18 people were seriously injured.
“The speed of a crash is what determines whether someone walks away or is carried away,” Jim says.
There is mixed feedback in the community with some blasting the proposal saying reductions won’t stop some drivers speeding and may just add to congestion.
“The average speed along those straights seems about 80km or less in peak hours anyway,” says Wakefield resident Carolyn Luxford.
“So, I guess when they officially drop to 80kph it will become more like 60km – everyone using those roads better leave way earlier!”
Others welcome the proposal, although feel the Brightwater intersection has been overlooked as part of the shake-up.
Brightwater resident Kirsty Jones says, “I think dropping to 80km from Hope to Brightwater is fine as it’s mainly residential, but what I don’t understand is why one of the most dangerous places at the River Terrace/Ellis Street intersection is staying the same.”
Many locals have asked for the safety surrounding the Brightwater intersection be reconsidered as part of the proposal on their feedback forms. With suggestions for a roundabout or traffic lights as an alternative if the speed limit is to stay at 80km.
“It’s such a high traffic flow area in all directions,” Kirsty says. “And I have personally witnessed a couple of accidents and many, many near misses.”
This speed review is aligned to New Zealand’s Road Safety Strategy, Road to Zero 2020-2030, which has been set up to ensure safety improvements on high-risk intersections and roads across the country.
The formal submissions will be considered before NZTA make any final decisions. However, even if the public are against the reductions, the decision may still go ahead.
“The consultation for proposed speed limit changes is not a vote,” says Jim. “It is about seeking valuable local and community input so that we can consider wider factors and context in our decision. All submissions received during the consultation period will be analysed and considered before a final decision is made, and issues raised during the consultation may result in changes to what had been initially proposed.”
The public can make a submission on the Wakefield-Hope proposed changes by calling 0800 444 449 to have a form sent out.