Calls for 30km/h speed limit in Whanganui CBD

An artist's impression of what a roundabout at the Victoria Ave Guyton St intersection could look like. Photo/ Guyton Group

Mainstreet Whanganui has called for a 30km/h speed limit in the CBD.

Chairman Peter Robinson said the current 50km/h speed limit was no longer fit for purpose and went back to the days of the Avenue being the main thoroughfare.

"It's is no longer a truck and car highway. It is very much a mixed precinct," he told Whanganui District councillors.

"There is a large mix of people doing different things at different speeds."

The council was hearing public submissions to its proposed traffic and speed limits bylaw on Thursday.

The proposed 30km/h speed limit would include Victoria Ave from up to Ingestre St and all the side blocks coming off it.

Mr Robinson said it was about acknowledging there were more users than just motor vehicles.

"It sends a message that this is a special area and it's a reinforcement of any of the other calming measures put in place.

"...you're coming into an area where you can expect to have competing road users."

Mainstreet say there is unanimous support from its members - central business district property owners and businesses - for the 30km/h CBD speed limit.

As part of Mainstreet's submission it also asked council to replace the traffic lights at the Victoria Ave and Guyton St intersection with a roundabout while adding speed bumps at the top of bottom of Guyton St.

Mr Robinson said the lights made the Guyton St to Ingestre St block feel like a different part of the CBD.

Mainstreet manager Amanda Gibbons said they had put someone on the intersection to observe for 15 minutes and had seen 16 jaywalkers and three cars get stuck in the intersection on a red light.

"It is a huge safety risk and something needs to be done about that," she said.

As part of public submissions Kaikokopu Rd residents also asked council to cut the speed from 100km/h.

Berny Mauback, who runs Vollrath Hanoverian Stud, said the road has become more residential in nature over the years and a speed limit much lower was warranted.

He suggested 60km/h.

Another resident Michael Davis supported the reduction, saying there were many users of the road including farm machinery, cyclists and horse.

That was all part of the environment the residents enjoyed but it needed to be made safe.

"For me I want my kids to get on their bikes and ride down to their friends' places and then come back again relatively safely."

The council's Statutory Management Committee will discuss public submissions on the proposed bylaw on August 22.