Onekaka petition presented to NZ Transport Agency
Onekaka resident Lisa Williams presents the petition to NZ Transport Agency’s Jack Hansby at Onekaka Hall.
Onekaka residents last Wednesday presented their 748-signature petition to representatives of the New Zealand Transport Agency and Tasman District Council, calling for a reduction in the speed limit to 70kmph along their 3km stretch of State Highway 60.
They are also asking for warning signage to be erected at the Otere Stream corner.
Also present at the Onekaka Hall for the two-hour meeting were representatives from Opus, Montgomery Watson Harza Consultants, Sergeant Arthur Clarence, and Senior Sergeant Eric Davies from Highway Patrol in Nelson.
Heartfelt views about the lack of safety of “their road” were expressed by the 35 local residents who attended. They cited not only two fatalities and a string of serious crashes, but numerous minor unreported accidents and near misses that have made them feel generally unsafe in their own community.
Geoff Williams asked the officials to ignore the speed warrant system that they worked to. “We know our community, and we’re asking you to be inconsistent in this case.”
The residents were assured that signage at the Otere corner will go up soon, but they were not given any immediate answer about a speed reduction.
“We’ll do what we can,” said Jack Hansby of the New Zealand Transport Agency.
Also handed over at the meeting also was a 2000-signature petition on behalf of BLIP (Bike Lanes in Paradise) asking for more consideration of all vulnerable road users; cyclists, pedestrians and horseriders. A third separate petition, still currently circulating for signatures in Golden Bay, is asking for a 80kmph limit to be imposed on all Golden Bay roads north of Paynes Ford. Organisers say it has attracted widespread support and is available for signing at Takaka Library, Golden Bay Organics and the Bainham Store.
Gerard Hindmarsh
