A petition calling for safer roads for Martinborough and asking South Wairarapa District Council to seek ministerial approval to implement slower speed levels has been launched by the town’s Community Board.
“What we are trying to do is give support to the council to get action on the (road speed reductions) without going through another consultation (process)” chairman Storm Robertson told The Star.
The moves follow the recent fatal cycle vs car collision on Puruatanga Rd when a British woman tourist was killed and three other Britons were badly injured. Police are still investigating the accident, which some observers claim was speed-related.
Under new central government law, any road speed decisions can only be made after six weeks of community consultation and the presentation of a “business case” for change to officials.
While “the government is saying to council ‘before you can make changes you have to go through a consultation’ we’ve already been through a consultation – repeating that exercise would be a waste of time,” Robertson said.
“Doing another consultation is going to be (yield) the same result.”
The initial consultation recommended changing the speed limits (downwards) “to 50 kph – to reduce the speed – but didn’t go as far” as 40 kph which some in the community want.
Board member Angela Brown said the “petition is based on what we have consulted on to enact,” but that once the police report on the fatal accident is available, “there may be more discussion and action.”
“At this stage we’re saying we already have that (consultation result) sitting there so why not at least enforce that so we can actually start the process of improving road safety. That makes sense.
“We’re not going to talk about this for months. We want action now, ahead of the season starting in October,” she added.
“We can only encourage them (council) to do the speed change by going to the minister,” and approaching through Waka Kotahi/NZTA.
Going back to consultation “is a bad reflection on the government … because the cost comes onto the ratepayers at the end of the day,” Brown said.
“This (petition) is something really positive we can do and by staying together get the message out.”
A letter from community member Geoff Shaw to the Community Board said he cycled Puruatanga Rd “every couple of days,” and utes passing at 70 – 100 kph “is always a frightening event.” The current speed limit is 100 kph.
He added: “Let’s get a temporary 60 kph along Puruatanga Rd … before we have … more incidents, destroy our two cycle-based business(es), not to mention the impact on tourism.”
It is “much easier to ask for ‘forgiveness’ for acting – than for ‘permission’ to send flowers to another funeral,’” Shaw wrote.
In a separate letter, Robertson said both the council and board “are seeking to reduce risk and improve safety on our roads by writing to the Minister of Transport seeking approval to implement SWDC’s Speed Management Plan.”
To that end, “SWDC would appreciate letters of support for this and will add them to their letter to the Minister.”
This would remove the need for council to re-consult with residents – a costly and time-consuming process – and allow it to push ahead with the proposed speed reductions.
Support by: email or letter to janice.smith@swdc.govt.nz “supporting Implementation of the Speed Management Plan without further consultation” by 17 April;
And: sign the petition to support the proposed action, by 17 April: https://www.petitions.net/safer_road_speeds_for_martinborough
Safer road speeds for Martinborough
South Wairarapa District Council will be contacting the Minister of Transport to seek approval to implement the Speed Management Plan that has already been through consultation. The new “rule” imposed requires Council to re-consult with the community for a period of 6 weeks so that the plan can then be approved and made legal.
If you support this request to allow us to improve road safety and avoid the need for delayed and costly duplication of the consultation process – Please sign this petition.
Please share this petition and help make our roads safer for our community and visitors.
Deadline: 17 April.
