Council welcomes NZTA move to make SH1 safer at Otaihanga

Kāpiti Coast District Council is pleased that the national roading authority NZTA is considering making permanent the speed restrictions and lane closure between Otaihanga and Waikanae on SH1 – the site of recent fatal accidents.

Mayor Jenny Rowan said Council’s Chief Executive Pat Dougherty had been in urgent talks with Rod James of NZTA.

“As a result, Mr James says the temporary measures taken by NZTA to reduce the speed limit to 80 kph and the width of the road to single lanes will remain in place until a permanent solution is developed.

“Mr James says the temporary 80 kph speed restriction has been extended back to Waikanae. He also hopes to be in a position to brief my Council in the not too distant future on what the permanent solution might look like.

“We are very appreciative that NZTA has responded quickly to our urgent call for a solution to what is clearly a very dangerous section of SH1,” said Mayor Rowan.

Councillor Tony Lester, who lives close to the section of the road dubbed “death corner” also welcomed the NZTA response. “I accept that on many occasions driver error is at fault. However, the reality is that this particular section of SH1 is dangerous and we must take whatever measures we can to make it less so.

“Changing the speed limit from 100 kph to 80 kph over this section of road will add less than 30 seconds to the average travel time, which is a small sacrifice if everyone arrives safely.

“NZTA says the planned expressway will be a much safer road. We can’t however wait for that to be built, so I am pleased the temporary restrictions now in place on SH1 will remain in place until a permanent solution is found.”