New speed limits have been introduced for roads between Christchurch and Akaroa.

NZTA says the changes will affect State Highways 73 and 75 between Christchurch and Akaroa, and State Highway 74 in Lyttelton.

Christchurch City Council will decide on new speed limits for some side roads and townships adjoining SH75, including Motukarara through to Takamatua.

The changes include more consistent speeds through Halswell, 60km/h over the Hilltop and 50km/h through Little River to just past Wairewa Marae. 

 High-risk 100km/h sections of SH75 where crashes are increasing will reduce to 80km/h. 

NZTA spokesman James Caygill said “speed limits need to reflect the type of road and their environment, and in this instance 100km/h is not safe or appropriate.”

 “We need these changes on Banks Peninsula. Between 2011-2020 there were 747 crashes between Christchurch and Akaroa. Nine people were killed and 74 others were seriously injured, many facing lengthy rehabilitation.” 

“Between Blenheim and Nelson where speeds have been lowered on SH6 – a similar rural highway corridor – no one has been killed since December 2020 when the new limits went in place.”

“While these positive results are early indicators, the reduction in crashes and serious casualties is very encouraging.” 

 Mr Caygill said he had driven from Akaroa to Christchurch, 84 km, at the new speeds.

“It did feel different to drive compared to what I am used to, but when I checked the clock, the time difference was under five minutes. If that small inconvenience of a few minutes will stop people from being killed or seriously injured, then I am all for it.”

“The roadside conditions of Banks Peninsula with narrow shoulders and no physical separation of traffic means there’s little margin for error. It is not safe or appropriate for this road to have the same speed limit as the Christchurch Southern Motorway or Christchurch Northern Corridor. Speed limits should reflect the type of road and their environment.”

Local roads and small settlements’ speed limit changes

Christchurch City Council Transport Operations Manager Stephen Wright said lowering speed limits on local roads could be the difference between someone dying in a collision or walking away unharmed.

“The safer speeds on these local roads and in rural townships will recognise there are more people walking, riding, driving and cycling in these areas, particularly vulnerable schoolchildren and the elderly.”

“It also aligns these roads and townships with other speed reductions introduced across Banks Peninsula in 2021, which have been positively received by communities.”