"Presentation to the AT Board on keeping safe speeds"

Background: A group of road safety organisations wrote to the AT Board Chair regarding Transport Minister Chris Bishop's recent comments that have opened the door to a more reasoned approach to keeping safe speeds. Now, All Aboard, Bike Auckland, Walk Auckland, Living Streets Aotearoa and Brake, the road safety charity will be presenting to the AT Board tomorrow 29 April at 9.45am in the public session at AT's Head Office, 20 Viaduct Harbour Ave.

There are several huge red flags from a governance perspective regarding AT's broad interpretation to the Speed Rule.  Auckland is on course to unnecessarily reverse over 1,500 streets at a cost of $8.8m. This is despite majority public support for safe speed zones. 

Attached is an example from Freemans Bay of the incoherent and dangerous outcome that will result if AT's continues with blanket reversals to the vast majority of Auckland's safe speed zones.

The group is asking AT to look more closely at the Hamilton City Council approach to interpreting the Speed Rule. Hamilton’s case is similar to Auckland’s: HCC consulted along similar lines to Auckland, including mentioning schools among the many other community reasons for safer speeds. However, Hamilton has not adopted a blanket reversal of safer speeds as in Auckland.

As will be highlighted to AT, public support across the board remains strong, and is stronger when people are informed that safer speeds have saved lives. The group is therefore asking AT to:

• Immediately direct and support staff to urgently review AT's analysis – to identify any errors, and to apply the Hamilton approach wherever possible.
• Work with NZTA to retain existing speed limits where there is public support to do so and where the evidence confirms the safe operating speeds for our neighbourhoods around schools is 30 km/h.
• Discuss with the Minister the common sense technical amendments needed to the Speed Rule, including allowing 30km/h as an option for urban roads so AT can re-consult from 1 July as necessary.

Spokespeople will be available to speak to the media before the meeting and after our presentation.  Your questions and coverage regarding this important development are welcome.

Marie Guerreiro, All Aboard Executive Director 
Pippa Coom, All Aboard volunteer 
Karen Hormann,  Chair, Bike Auckland
Tim Jones, President, Living Streets Aotearoa

 

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