The communities of Seacliff and Warrington, with a 700-signature petition to lower speeds n Coast Rd, and Northeast Valley and Normanby, with an almost 1200-signature petition to do the same on North Rd and Norwood St, have made a notable effort.
A Dunedin City Council public hearing on the issue, which received 29 submissions, including the petitions, will be held on Thursday, before councillors Andrew Noone, Neil Collins and Bill Acklin.
In November last year, the council announced speed limits on 67 Dunedin roads were being reviewed.
Council senior traffic engineer Bruce Conaghan said at the time speed limits were required to be reviewed every three years, as nearby developments meant limits could become inappropriate.
Community boards had also requested a review of some areas.
The council was legally required to use Speed Limits New Zealand (SLNZ), a procedure for calculating the speed limit that took into account development, the extent of frontage and roadside development, and road features, including footpaths, cycleways, and curves and crests on the road.
By June this year, the changes were whittled down to 47 sections of 35 roads, and the council planning and environment committee urged the public to get involved in a consultation process on the issue, as some councillors had already been contacted by residents concerned about the changes.
Seacliff resident Alan Pearson organised the 700-signature petition calling for 80kmh on Coast Rd, except though Seacliff and Warrington, where it asked for 50kmh.
Mr Conaghan's review has suggested speeds of 80kmh and 70kmh for the road.
Mr Pearson, who has been fighting for more than 10 years to lower speeds on the road, said he planned to attend the meeting and challenge anyone to drive through the settlements at 70kmh.
"They would need emergency services on hand," he said.
The 1200-signature petition was organised by Norwood St resident Mel Marshall, who said the suggested speed limit rise from 50kmh to 80kmh was unsafe.
Concern about an increase from 50kmh to 80kmh on Mt Grand Rd prompted a petition with 32 signatures.
In a report to the hearings committee, Mr Conaghan recommended the changes he had suggested be implemented, but left the matter in the committee's hands.
"The committee must consider each proposal and the submissions received, and decide whether they should proceed as recommended."
