The Rakaia community will have a say in if the speed limit stays at 50kph or is returned to 70kph.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi announced on Thursday it will undertake a new speed review for SH1 through the Rakaia township, rather than the speed limit automatically changing back to 70kph on July 1.

Rakaia Community Association president Neil Pluck is pleased to be getting the process

“We were desperate to get a consultation.”

He said the community tried to “make as much noise as we could” in the consultation for the speed limit from Rakaia to Weavers Road, proposed to go from 80kph back to 100kph, even though it is a separate issue.

Pluck said they have been heard, and having earlier called it a “faceless organisation”, acknowledged NZTA had been actively keeping him in the loop.

The majority of the Rakaia community wants the 50kph limit retained, but Pluck has spoken to some who believed 70kph was better he said.

“I’ve been at the coal face of this since at least 2007, and we haven’t got this wrong.

“At 50kph, the traffic flow is slower, but the gaps between the traffic is similar in distance length, and therefore, it takes longer for the gaps to pass.

“When you pull onto the road, you are not having to accelerate like a maniac.”

NZTA stated the formal speed limit review will include public consultation, which will be open for six weeks from early April.

“The speed review is a legal process which requires a technical assessment and cost-benefit disclosure to be considered alongside consultation feedback,” NZTA said in a statement.

“Once consultation closes, NZTA will consider all these factors before making a decision on the speed limit.”

The decision on the speed limit through Rakaia will be made before July 1.

NZTA had already received lots of feedback and community interest on the proposed speed limits through Rakaia, with over 80 email submissions and a letter from the mayor, that helped lead to the review taking place.

The consultation on the speed limit from Rakaia to Weavers Road, proposed to go from 80kph back to 100kph, closed last week.

NZTA is also planning a speed review for an intersection speed zone (ISZ) for SH1 at Weavers Road to support the safe operation of the SH1 Rakaia Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre northbound site under construction.

By Jonathan Leask