Speed Management Plan
Speed management is about achieving safe and appropriate vehicle speeds on roads that reflect the road’s function, design, safety, and use.
We want everyone to be able to get home safely every time, and to feel comfortable choosing from a range of safe travel options.
As a Road Controlling Authority (RCA) Stratford District Council (SDC) must follow the Government’s Land Transport Rule - Setting of Speed limits 2022. The Rule encourages a network-wide approach to setting speed limits, and also requires Councils to reduce speed limits around schools.
Interim Speed Management Plan - School Zone Speeds
Our Interim Speed Management Plan, which focused on speed limits across our school zones, was endorsed by the Policy and Services Committee in July 2023.
In 2022, we asked for our school communities and people at properties within school zones to share their thoughts around speed limits outside their schools. Using their feedback, we finalised the proposed changes to these speed zones and consulted on these with the wider community.
Thank you to everyone was part of this process over the last 12 months. Once the Interim Speed Management Plan is certified by Waka Kotahi, the new speed limits will be rolled out. We aim to have this completed by the end of the calendar year.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is managing any changes to the speed outside schools that sit on state highways (Huiakama School, Taranaki Diocesan School, Marco School, Ngaere School, and Toko School).
Changes to school zone speeds 2023:
- Midhirst School – 30km/h
- Stratford Primary School – 30km/h
- Stratford High School – 30km/h
- St Joseph’s Primary School – 30km/h
- St Mary’s Diocesan School (Pembroke Road frontage only) – 30km/h
- Pembroke School – 60km/h
- Makahu School – 30km/h
- Marco School – 60km/h (Marco Road frontage only)
- Ngaere School – 60km/h (Cheal Road frontage only)
Draft Speed Management Plan - District wide speed limits
We're now reviewing the rest of the district's speed limits as part of our draft Speed Management Plan.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) requires councils, as road controlling authorities, to develop speed management plans every three years. All three district councils in Taranaki are reviewing these now and together we have feedback open for each of the district plans from 18 September to 29 October 2023.
This feedback is part of the wider regional conversation 'The Road Ahead' which seeks public views to help shape key Taranaki transport strategies - including the Better Travel Choices for Taranaki strategy which is being lead by Taranaki Regional Council (TRC).
Neil Volzke, Chair of the Taranaki Mayoral Forum and Stratford District Mayor, says it’s important people have their say on what’s being proposed in Taranaki.
“The proposals to lower some speed limits across the region will have a huge impact on everybody, from our residents to our organisations and businesses. It’s vital that we get the balance right between safety and road user convenience, and I encourage everyone in Taranaki to take part in the discussion.”
Following the community conversation, the feedback will be used to finalise the Better Travel Choices for Taranaki strategy and the three Speed Management Plans. TRC will then use these as building blocks when the next Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) for Taranaki is developed and there will be a chance for the public to have their say on that plan in early 2024.
The RLTP will be a key strategic document for the region as it will set out land transport objectives, policies, and measures for at least 10 financial years and will be signed off by Waka Kotahi in mid-2024.
To take part in The Road Ahead conversations, and have your say on Stratford's Speed Management Plan, visit this website.
