A proposal to lower the speed limit from 100kmh to 80kmh on parts of the open road between Masterton and Featherson has baffled some road users but pleased others.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is asking for feedback on changes to 32 kilometres on the Wairarapas main arterial route.
The agency said the proposals would make that stretch of State Highway 2 safer and save lives.
Cycling advocates generally supported the proposal, trucking groups were against it, and the Automobile Associations reaction was mixed.
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Many motorists don’t want to see open road speed limits between Wairarapa towns come down. The road pictured shows a stretch of SH2 between Greytown and Featherston.
Nick Leggett of trucking representative group Road Transport Forum said slowing travel times through Wairarapa would put a drag on the economy and frustrate motorists.
He said the transport agency had an ideological obsession with lowering speeds instead of improving the network.
Thats why were getting death by a thousand cuts on roads all around the country in lieu of actually spending some more money and improving the quality and therefore the safety of them.
Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick Leggett said lower speed limits was driven by an ideological obsession.
Leggett said he saw no logical reason why long straight sections of road between Featherston and Greytown should have speeds restricted.
Patrick Morgan of the Cycling Action Network welcomed the proposals.
As the Wairarapa population increases, e-bike sales and cycling are booming, it makes sense to invest in bike-friendly streets. That means safer speeds in town and on the highway, and more bike lanes.
The proposals included new roundabouts installed on the Waingawa Straight between Masterton and Carterton- one at the Norfolk Rd intersection and one at East Taratahi Rd.
Cycling Action Network project manager Patrick Morgan broadly supported Waka Kotahis proposed changes to SH2 between Featherston and Masterton.
These intersections had been the scene of a host of crashes over the years.
Morgan said these roundabouts could be improved by adding separated bike paths around the outside.
Forcing people on bikes to share a roundabout with heavy vehicles is unsafe and not acceptable.
Mike Noon of the Automobile Association said the AA felt the roads need improvements, but would not want to see speed limits brought down without strong justification.
Its unlikely we would be supporting 80 kilometres for the entire route.
Waka Kotahis director of regional relationships Emma Speight said the current speed limits on the road were being reviewed in an effort to save lives and prevent serious injuries along this section of highway.
Everyone using our roads should get to where theyre going safely, whether theyre in a car or a bus, on a motorcycle or a bike, or on foot,.
Speight cited figures that showed between January 2010 and December 2019, four people were killed and 28 people were seriously injured on this section of SH2.
The impact of these deaths and serious injuries is devastating.
Details of the transport agency plans can be found on their website nzta.govt.nz
Submissions close on August 27.