New speed limits for Taupō come into affect Saturday

Several sections of roads in and around Taupō district will have newly reduced speed limits starting this Saturday 1 October and drivers are asked to please be aware of the reduced speeds.

Taupō District Council has just completed a review and consultation of speed limits of all roads in the Taupō district. The process is undertaken every five years and Council has identified some sections of roads where speed limits are to be reduced. Council agreed to adopt the reduced speed limits at their meeting on 30 August 2011.

Transportation Team Leader, Claire Sharland, says the majority of the speed reductions were the result of public submissions. “The changes are about making the speed limits consistent with other areas in the district. All speed limits need to be appropriate for the safety of road users and it is important to align the speed limits with drivers’ expectations.”

The main changes to the speed limit bylaw are:
● Centennial Drive between Spa Road and Tauhara Road intersection and entrance to the Golf course; the existing speed limit of 80km/h is to be reduced to 60km/h.
● Mapara Road between Wakeman Road and Highland Drive; the existing speed limit of 80km/h is to be reduced to 70km/h. All side roads off Mapara Road within this section are also to be 70km/h.
● Clearwater Lane and Ferndale Way will have a speed limit of 80km/h to maintain consistency with Huka Falls Road.
● Aratiatia Road, 300m west and 400m east of the Aratiatia Dam Bridge, the existing speed limit of 100km/h will be reduced to a speed limit of 70km/h.
● Taupahi Road, Turangi; the existing 50km/h speed limit will be extended to 50m south of Kutai Street (end of the residential area).

All changes to the speed limits will come into affect on Saturday 1 October 2011. For further details on the Speed Limit Bylaw 2011 and the register of speed limits visit our website www.taupo.govt,nz.