LOCAL ACTION: Locals have already covered up the higher speed sign.
AFTER a “marathon effort” discussing the Seaview speed limit, Hutt City councillors have sent the proposal back to Petone Community Board for reconsideration.
The Seaview Working Group, which represents businesses in Seaview, put forward a proposal to reduce the speed limit on Seaview Road from 70kmh to 50kmh.
The business group wants the speed limit reduced because of increased traffic on the road, including cyclists, trucks and cars.
At the council’s community and infrastructure services committee meeting on September 2, the Seaview group expressed their disagreement with the community board’s decision not to support the lowering.
A member of the group, Claire Allan, said that lowering the speed limit would be a proactive measure in preventing road accidents.
“There have been many near misses that have occurred over the last few years,” Ms Allan said.
Out of the 39 businesses located on Seaview Road, 28 were in favour of lowering the speed limit, she said.
Steve Flanagan, representing the Seaview Road Chevron New Zealand site, said that with trucks having increased in size, it was hard to merge to 70kmh traffic from a standing start.
“Trucks can carry up to 55 tonnes gross laden weight, be up to 22 metres long and carry up to 36,000 litres of petrol,” he said.
A report by council staff on August 19 was given to the Petone Community Board, who recommended that the speed limit be kept at 70kmh.
“I don’t think the Petone Community Board gave enough weight to the safety issue,” Ms Allan said.
Harbour Ward councillor Michael Lulich did not support community and infrastructure Service’s committee chairman Max Shierlaw’s recommendation to send the proposal back to the Petone Community Board.
“The issue should be revisited in 12 months. I believe that the Petone Community Board gave the issue serious consideration,” Cr Lulich said.
Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace supported Cr Shierlaw’s decision to send the proposal back to the Petone Community Board.
“The key issue is safety,” Mayor Wallace said.
Mr Shierlaw described the discussion as a “marathon effort”.
The next community board meeting will be after the local body elections.
