Feedback welcomed on proposed speed limit change for Ōpunake Road

Stratford District Council is proposing to amend the speed limit on Ōpunake Road from 100kmph to 80kmph and is asking the community for feedback this month.

The speed limit review comes after a report by Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency which sought to identify the top 10% highest risk roads that are located within each local authority boundary across New Zealand. This work was part of the Government’s Road to Zero Strategy, which aims to reduce the road toll in New Zealand by 40% before 2030.

Stratford District Council Director Assets, Victoria Araba says, “Waka Kotahi has identified Ōpunake Road as a high risk road within the Stratford District and the statistics match their findings.”

“In the last five years there have been 57 crashes that have occurred on Ōpunake Road, and sadly some of these have been fatal,” she says.

“Considering this information and the report from Waka Kotahi, a local review of the current speed limit is timely. We encourage our community to have to a say, whether you agree or disagree, please share your thoughts before feedback closes.”

The section of road the proposal covers is from RP0.0 (Intersection of Elizabeth Grove) to RP16.75 (Stratford District boundary with the South Taranaki District).

The proposed speed limit will take effect from 1 December 2021, subject to the outcome of community engagement.

How to have your say

Please send your comments for consideration by 4.30pm Monday 13 September 2021.

• Email feedback@stratford.govt.nz and use “Ōpunake Road Speed Limit” as the subject line
• Write to Roading Asset Manager, Stratford District Council, PO Box 320, Stratford 4352
• Complete our online form here

More information on this proposal is available here.