Central Otago District Council infrastructure services executive manager Julie Muir presented a status report on the 30kmh proposal at the Vincent Community Board meeting this week and said a workshop had been held with a stakeholder group to identify issues regarding traffic speed.
"But we’re looking at a bigger issue in terms of the growth that’s happening out there [Clyde]. So rather than do an ad hoc kind of solution, we’re looking at a bigger picture in the long term of what might be required to enable Clyde to grow and be a nice place that people want to be in. That requires more lateral thinking about what will be required."
Almost five years ago, the board had voted to include a permanent 30kmh speed limit on Sunderland St between Holloway and Naylor Sts in the council’s next speed limit bylaw review, but it was not put in place.
Other temporary traffic slowing measures had been unsuccessful and the proposal reviewed by the Ministry of Transport. No permanent solution had been found.Community concerns about traffic had continued, but it had been difficult to achieve a consensus, Ms Muir said.
Last year, the council conducted a review of traffic flows, parking, and pedestrian and cyclist safety. Heavy vehicles were banned from parts of the historic town centre.
Ms Muir said extensive community consultation would be required for the 30kmh proposal, and the road to resolution would be "a big process".
