New Stoke speed limit in force

Yesterday the speed limit on Main Road Stoke from Standish Place through to 100 metres south of Orphanage Creek was lowered from 80kph to 50kph.

Police have been monitoring the area since the new limit signs went in yesterday and have observed some frustrated drivers who have not been aware of the lowered speed limit overtaking other complying drivers using the flush median. Police remind all drivers that passing on a flush median is illegal and that they will be ticketed.

Nelson City Council today placed large temporary message signs on the roadside to make sure drivers were aware of the speed limit change.

Investigation of the speed limit change was triggered by a petition from local residents asking for the speed to be reduced to 50kph. Council investigated the issue and considered that reducing the speed limit was warranted as it would improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists and other road users in this area and approaching the roundabout at Saxton Road.

Council’s Transport and Road Safety Coordinator Margaret Parfitt says, “The use of this section of Main Road Stoke has changed over time. It is now used more frequently by pedestrians, cyclists, bus users, and local residents going in and out of side roads and driveways, and it will continue to change as development in the area intensifies. This change makes a 50kph speed limit the safer option.

“Slower speeds around Saxton Field will also improve safety for the large number of children attending weekend sporting activities and the underpass being constructed at Orphanage Creek will make access from the Railway Reserve even safer,” Margaret says.