Subscribe to RSSWellington CBD Slows Down
Memo Auckland transport authorities: We need more speed restrictions in the Auckland CBD.
Good on a Wellngton council committee for deciding to introduce more speed restrictions throughout its CBD which will help cyclists and pedestrians safety but also sends a message to motorists that inner city streets are not for vehicles to roar around in.
The Wellington council’s strategy and policy committee agreed this week to extend the 30 km/h speed limit along Courtenay Place, Manners Street, Inglewood Place and parts of Willis, Boulcott, Victoria, Dixon, Taranaki and Tory streets.
It also agreed on a 10 km/h speed limit for the new shared public space which is to be developed in lower Cuba Street next year.
Back in 2006, the council had reduced the speed limit along Lambton Quay, the lower part of Willis Street, Mercer Street and a small section of Customhouse Quay from 50 km/h to 30 km/h following a recommendation from the Wellington Coroner.
Since then, there has been a reduction in the number and severity of crashes in those areas.
The council’s Hayley Wain said the extension should also reduce serious crashes, improve pedestrian safety and encourage more active transport such as walking and cycling.
These new lower speed limits were flagged back in November 2008 as part of the proposal to create a more direct bus route through the central city and feedback at that stage was very supportive. Cars roaring out of side streets or driveways always seem to think pedestrians are just a damn nuisance!
The Council carried out a more thorough consultation under its speed limits bylaw in June and July and received 87 submissions, with the majority supporting the change.
A long time coming- but good news.
The new speed limits will take effect on November 28.
Auckland city’s innovative shared spaces will certainly do a lot to make Auckland am ore pedestrian city but there are patches around our inner city which are not.
Just yesterday i was almost bowled for six walking past the Downtown city car park entrance off the end of Fanshawe St/Customs St because a car roaring along Fanshawe St decided to hit the entrance at high speed ignoring the fact I was halfway across the entrance.
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@Jon - There’s no excuse for crossing a footpath like that, especially at speed. I don’t think speed restrictions will stop idiots like that.
A few years ago, I got into a brief argument with someone just up the road from there, between the car park and Quay Towers, by a driver who are turning into the driveway into the Quay Towers car park. He was clearly crossing a footpath, but abused me for crossing a road, and insisted he had right of way.
You can’t teach idiots, no matter what restrictions you put in place.
@Paul No you are right, speed restrictions make no difference to idiots. But if widely applied they serve to remind the idiots much as they resent it that pedestrians also have a right of way.
It scares me the number of drivers who think they have right of way when driving across the footpath, couple of times now I’ve been almost hit then abused about it afterwards!
One thing I have seen happen a few times which I think is funny is when a driver runs a late orange/red light somewhere like Customs & Queen Sts. They get stuck in the middle of the intersection when the pedestrian lights go and just get swarmed by a huge mass of people, many who are not happy that a car is in their way. In a small way it is pedestrians claiming back some of the street. I have also seen it quite a bit at other places in town like some of the small lanes that join Queen St. even though it is not technically a footpath, people just treat it like one and keep on walking.
@Matt L Yes, I have seen that too. Makes me laugh also especially looking at the drivers’ frustrated faces.
It was only a couple of years ago that Auckland City Council were planning on removing the barn dance on Queen street to improve ‘traffic flows’ i.e. to improve cars driving through the area.
Would be great to see speed restrictions on streets around Auckland’s CBD, one main outcome is that cars avoid the areas as they don’t want to get slowed down.
@Jon Was’nt a female 30 something driving a dark 4WD by any chance? If so it was possibly the same individual who almost got me at the same crossing earlier in the week. She should trade in the 4WD for a broom.
@Christopher She flew past so fast I didnt have a chance to get a good look. Dont get me started about certain 4WD drivers!!!
“Dont get me started about certain 4WD drivers!!!”
Buy a SUV, never worry about curbs again!
Wellington City Council also made the rail side of Thorndon Quay a morning clearway which has improved the lot of the many cyclists who use it each day. Strangely enough the sky didn’t fall in.