Clyde is about to get its first speed hump, in response to complaints from residents, business owners and the police about motorists going too fast in the north end of the main street.
The Vincent Community Board yesterday approved a report from the Central Otago District Council's roading engineer, Peter Cuthbertson, about measures to slow down traffic in the commercial part of Sunderland St.
He said there had been repeated requests for a speed hump for "quite some time".
"Reducing the speed limit to 30kmh within the commercial area was considered but this wouldn't ensure drivers adhere to the limit. Traffic count data has confirmed that 29% of vehicles exceed the 50kmh speed limit at the north approach to the commercial area.
"The preferred method to ensure vehicle speed is reduced is to introduce physical traffic-calming measures," he said.
Under the New Zealand Transport Agency's minor improvements programme, subsidies were available for the construction of small projects, such as speed humps.
It was hoped the project would be completed before Christmas.
"I'm appalled that over 30% do over 50kmh through the commercial part," Clyde resident and board member Tim Cadogan said.
He said consideration should also be given to lowering the speed limit at the opposite end of the town, by the Clyde golf course.
"There's an awful lot of people going faster than 70kmh and there's a lot of kids in the new subdivision and a lot of people walk along there."
Mr Cuthbertson said traffic speed counts would be done again after the speed hump was in place to see if it was effective.
Lowering the speed limit or adding another speed hump were further options to reduce traffic speed.
