Te Puke speaks out against proposed speed reduction

Traffic travelling between Papamoa and Te Puke are expected to be affected by a proposed reduction to the speed limit. Photo/file

More than 400 submissions have been made to Western Bay of Plenty District Council against the proposed reduction of Te Puke's 100km/h speed limit to 80km/h.

Te Puke residents and business owners are today giving their feedback to the council this at the the Te Puke War Memorial Hall.

Most of the submitters heard this morning spoke out against the proposal.

Submitters said they thought the reduction was being made to dissuade drivers from using the road so they were forced to pay the new Tauranga Eastern Link.

Road users were not convinced that travel times would only slightly increase to Mount Maunganui and Tauranga for commuting.

Small towns in New Zealand already struggled, and there were fears Te Puke could struggle struggle more as a result of the proposed speed reduction, submitters said.