Motorists across Central Otago will likely have to adjust to stepping off the gas on local roads, following a wide-reaching review of speed limits.

There will be a chance for feedback first, however, after the Central Otago District Council this week approved public consultation for the 70 changes proposed across the district.

Seventy kilometer per hour speed limits will likely become a thing of the past, with a nationwide move to adopt 60km or 80km instead, as safer speeds.

The speed alterations have been proposed due to considerable changes in the district since speed limits were last reviewed, according to a report presented to councillors on Wednesday.

Rapid growth had seen increased development and traffic on rural residential roads and council had received requests from the community, through service requests and community group feedback, to lower speed limits.

Traffic slow-down ahead…Central Otago District Council roading manager James McCallum addresses the council on Wednesday during an online meeting. PHOTO: Jill Herron

Council’s roading manager James McCallum emphasised that many of the proposed changes were a direct result of requests and feedback from ratepayers.

Some councillors were concerned that having a range of different speeds inside a small area may make it difficult for motorists to obey the new limits.

“Consultation will give us a good indication if we’ve got this right or not,” Cr Neil Gillespie said.

Experts were engaged by council to provide analysis across all streets in Central Otago with both computer modelling and field work undertaken, with guidance from Waka Kotahi(NZTA).

The review process evaluated crash history, road conditions, growth, changes in the speed environment and other factors.

CODC then undertook a separate analysis to understand the local impact of the proposed changes with further tweaks made in response to the feedback from the region’s four community boards.

The resulting new bylaw proposes reducing speed limits at 70 sites including whole streets, parts of streets, subdivisions and the Naseby township.

Crs Tamah Alley, Tracy Paterson and Stu Duncan were appointed to a panel to review people’s views after the consultation concludes in April.