The Hamilton City Council is proposing lowering the speed limit on a 460m stretch of Te Rapa Road from 80 km/h to 60 km/h. The speed limit change would apply between Hutchinson Road and State Highway 1C.
Why?
One of the consequences of calling Hamilton the city of the future is that it actually kind of is. The fast-growing nature of our city means that more houses need to be built, including the developing Te Awa Lakes neighbourhood, which is set to feature 2,500 new homes. The developers of this neighbourhood are required to install a signalized pedestrian crossing at their own cost, and accommodating this could mean slowing cars down. The stretch of road is also between two roundabouts, at which vehicles already have to slow down to use safely.
Why not?
The arguments against the changes are not just “car go fast”. Te Rapa road is an arterial route, and changing speed limits could affect people’s commutes. Others hold the opinion that changing the speed limit on a stretch of road that is already between two roundabouts would not make much of a difference.
What now?
If you feel incredibly strongly about the speed limits on this specific part of Te Rapa Road, Hamilton City Council is looking for public feedback on the proposed change. You have until the 9th of April to share your feedback, either online or in Hamilton City libraries.
