We’re proposing to lower the speed on Whitchurch Place and Waimakariri Road to make it safer for children and families getting to and from Harewood School and support the proposed installation of a safer crossing on Waimakariri Road.

We want everyone to get where they are going safely, regardless of how they are travelling.

Proposed changes to speed limits:

60kmph to 50kmph

• Whitchurch Place
• Part of Waimakariri Road from 188 Waimakariri Road to where the speed limit currently changes to 50kph near the Harewood Road intersection.

In September 2023, we consulted on the draft Safer Speed Plan. As part of this plan, we proposed to lower the speed on Whitchurch Place and Waimakariri Road to 50km/h. The Safer Speed Plan process was paused while awaiting the government’s replacement of the Setting of Speed Limit Rule.

In October 2024, Ministry of Transport released a new Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024, revoking and replacing the 2022 Rule that we were operating under. We are now seeking feedback again on these proposals under the new Rule.

Cost benefit disclosure statement

The government's Land Transport Rule - Setting of Speed Limit Rule 2024 requires us to complete a cost benefit disclosure statement for the proposed speed limit changes. This sets out the expected impact of the speed limit changes on safety and travel times, and the expected implementation cost.

The proposed speed limit changes are estimated to increase travel times along Waimakariri Road and Whitchurch Place by 1 and 7 seconds. There is no estimated crash reduction. The total implementation cost is $6,000.