Temporary speed bumps installed on SH36 before Ngongotahā roundabout roadworks

Speed bumps have been installed on State Highway 36 after complaints of drivers speeding through roadworks.

Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency has put down two temporary, plastic speed bumps on the southbound lane going from Ngongotahā to Rotorua, just before the roundabout.

NZTA regional manager infrastructure delivery Jo Wilton said the speed bumps were installed on Wednesday to calm traffic and improve safety.

"We listened to the local community, who raised the speeding with us, and installed the speed humps to ensure safe exit from properties on this section," Wilton told the Rotorua Daily Post.

Speeding through the Ngongotahā roundabout roadworks continued to be a common issue, she said.

"We ask that everyone stick to the posted speed limits to help make sure everyone gets home safe at the end of each day.

"We know that motorists find it frustrating when temporary speed limits remain in place outside of our work hours.

"However it's important to understand that we only do this to ensure the safety of all road users."

Wilton said NZTA was working closely with the Ngongotahā community.

"The team is constantly looking at efficiencies and where an opportunity exists to improve the project we will consider it."

Police officers were observed watching drivers on Thursday morning with speed-monitoring devices.

Traffic on SH36 travelling from Ngongotahā to Rotorua on Friday morning. Photo / Maryana Garcia

A police spokesman told the Rotorua Daily Post complaints had been received from roadworks contractors.

"People weren't respecting the speed limit through the site," he said.

In response to the complaints, police assigned road officers to the area to monitor speeds.

The action is part of the ongoing Operation Deterrence, which is aimed at providing a more visible police presence and speed camera monitoring in order to remind drivers to slow down, the spokesman said.

The safety measures have caused delays for morning commuters.

A Hamurana resident said traffic had been flowing swiftly through the roadworks until the speed bumps were put in place this week.

"[On Thursday] morning the traffic was backed up and very slow," the woman, who did not want to be identified, said.

"One can only assume this was because of the two new speed bumps that were put in place sometime yesterday, just before the traffic merges heading into town."

Progress Ngongotahā representative Lynn Benfell said she tries to avoid going through the roundabout from SH36 but had noticed motorists speeding dangerously around the same roadworks coming from SH5.

"There's so much impatience out there," Benfell said.

"It's a bit difficult to get down to 30km/h when you've got people pushing you from behind."

Benfell said it was particularly dangerous to exit Western Rd and Paradise Valley Rd to get onto SH5.

"Sometimes it's like you have to make a break for it. There is a real pressure [to speed] going on."