https://www.cyclewellington.org.nz/submission_guide_speed_management_plan

Update 20 June: WCC have paused consultation on this this after discovering an error. Stand by for more.

Thanks for having your say. 30 kmh speed limits are an essential way to deliver safe and attractive streets for everyone in our community. Let's demonstrate strong public support.

Start at https://www.letstalk.wellington.govt.nz/smp – read the page, and select “Have your say” at the bottom. There's an initial step to register or sign in to Wellington City Council’s Let's Talk platform, which doesn't take long.

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Form intro

Questions 1, 2, 3: About your submission

Respond as appropriate

 

Questions 4, 5: Would you like to speak to Councillors in support of your submission?

Selecting ‘yes’ means you can present to Councillors. It’s an effective way to add weight to your submission.

 

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Part 1: Feedback on the proposed plan

Q6. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

They say:

The Draft Speed Management Plan aims to create a safer and more liveable city by reducing speed limits across Wellington. These changes are expected to decrease the number of traffic-related deaths and serious injuries and encourage people to walk and bike, especially school children.

Select “Strongly agree” for each item:

• Lowering speed limits will help reduce deaths and serious injuries from road crashes.
• Lowering speed limits will reduce traffic noise.
• Lowering speed limits will reduce traffic pollution.
• Lowering speed limits will encourage walking and cycling for transport.
• Lowering speed limits will improve health and wellbeing of the community.
• Lowering speed limits will improve liveability in the city.

 

Council guidelines for arterial and non-arterial streets

They say:

The draft Speed Management Plan covers two types of Wellington’s roads:  

• Non-arterial streets – These are typically local residential roads that serve the purpose of providing access to properties and support community wellbeing. These streets have existing speed limits of 30 km/h to 50 km/h.  The proposal sets all speed limits on these streets at 30 km/h. 
• Arterial streets – These are typically main roads that carry many vehicles connecting others, transit corridors and rural roads. These streets have existing speed limits of 50 km/h to 80 km/h.  The proposal sets most of these streets at 30 km/h with the exception of a few at 40 km/h or 50 km/h. 

Refer to our Interactive map and street table for a more detailed look at the proposed changes on individual routes and streets. The Council’s guidelines for assessing speed limits are set in the question below.

Q7. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

Select “Strongly agree” for each item:

• A speed limit of 30 km/h for non-arterial streets
• A speed limit of 30 km/h for arterial streets within city and town centres, near schools, suburban shops, kindergartens, playcentres, early childhood education facilities
• A speed limit of 30 km/h for arterial streets where cycling or pedestrian safety warrants lower speeds
• A speed limit of 40 km/h for other arterial streets

 

Q8. Please share any comments to explain your answers above

Say why you want 30 km/h streets. For example: We deserve safe and attractive streets. 30 km/h traffic speed limits are a proven way to achieve this. As there is overwhelming evidence for 30 km/h streets, I don’t think this decision should be framed as a referendum on safety. 

 

Proposed approach to speed limits around Wellington

They say:

The Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022 mandates that streets around 40% of local schools have reduced speed limits by June 2024, and the remaining schools have changes made by December 2027.   

To ensure a consistent and cohesive approach to speeds, the Council aims to make permanent ? speed changes in the walking catchments around all of our 81 Wellington schools by June 2024. Walking distances for the catchments have been calculated based on New Zealand research and when applied cover most of the Wellington area – see map. 

The permanent consistent speed changes proposed in the draft Speed Management Plan deliver overall the greatest benefits.

 

Q9. Do you support the proposed approach to implement speed limit changes by June 2024?

Select “Strongly support”.

 

Q10. Do you support the proposed approach to setting speed limits based on walkable catchments around schools?

Select: “The approach doesn't go far enough.”

 

Q11. Do you support the proposed approach to ensure consistent speed limits are implemented to prevent multiple speed limit changes while travelling along the same road?

Select “Strongly support”.

 

Q12. Overall, to what extent do you support or oppose the proposed plan to change speed limits?

Select “Strongly support”.

 

Q13. Please share any comments to explain your answers above

Say why you support the approach. For example: There’s compelling evidence that 30 km/h speed limits improve safety, cut noise, cut pollution, increase walking and cycling trips, and improve overall well-being. Wellington should deliver these benefits to everyone in our community as soon as possible. I would also like to see physical changes to our streets to ensure traffic speeds are safe.

 

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Part 2: Perceptions of speed management and safety in Wellington 

14. Are you happy to answer a few more questions?

Select “Yes”.

 

15. How safe or unsafe do you think streets in Wellington City are for pedestrians when they are walking?

Share your views.

 

16. Please share any comments that explain your answer

Explain why you think the streets are safe or unsafe. For example: Traffic speeds above 30 km/h are unsafe for people walking. Setting 30 km/h speeds reduces the chance, and severity of a crash. 30 km/h speeds protect people.

 

17. How safe or unsafe do you think streets in Wellington City are for people on bicycles when they are riding?

Share your views.

 

18. Please share any comments that explain your answer

Explain why you think the streets are safe or unsafe. For example: Traffic speeds above 30 km/h are unsafe for people on bikes. Setting 30 km/h speeds reduces the chance, and severity of a crash. 30 km/h speeds protect people.

 

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Part 3: A bit about you

Respond as appropriate.

 

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That's it! You're done. Thanks for taking the time to help, you beautiful human being.