Safer journeys for children and families are at the centre of new speed limit changes being rolled out across Tauranga, with lower speeds outside schools confirmed, and speed limit changes proposed across the city.
From June, speed limits around all urban Tauranga schools will be reduced to 30km/h during drop-off and pick-up times, making it safer for the thousands of students, whānau and commuters who share the roads each day. Tauranga City Council will introduce the variable speed limits outside 42 schools as part of its citywide Speed Management Plan to improve road safety.
Karen Hay, Manager: Strategy and Assurance, says school areas are some of the busiest and most complex parts of the transport network.
“Tauranga’s roads are at their busiest before and after school, with cars, children, bikes and scooters all sharing the same space,” says Karen. “As traffic volumes increase, schools and local communities have raised concerns about vehicle speeds, drivers not stopping at crossings, and the lack of safe gaps for school patrols.
“Speed plays a major role in whether a crash can be avoided and how serious the outcome might be. Lower speeds outside schools make it safer for everyone, especially people walking and cycling.”
The changes reflect updated national requirements, with a Ministry of Transport rule amendment requiring all road authorities to have 30km/h variable speed limits in place outside schools by July 2026.
The move has strong community backing, with more than 1,000 people responding to a Council survey in April and May 2024. Of those, 71 per cent supported lower speed limits outside schools.
A mix of electronic and static signs will be installed, with electronic signs operating during school drop-off and pick-up times.
These changes form part of Council’s broader Speed Management Plan. Throughout May and June Council is seeking community feedback on further speed limit changes across Tauranga to respond to traffic patterns and local safety concerns.
Proposals include making the temporary 50km/h limit on Truman Lane permanent due to ongoing high traffic volumes, lowering speeds on Gasson Lane in Pyes Pā to improve safety for children accessing school buses, simplifying speeds to a consistent 80km/h at the Domain Road/SH2 interchange, and introducing a permanent 30km/h limit on Elder Lane near Bethlehem College where footpaths are limited.
Community feedback on the proposed speed limit changes is open until Friday 12 June at letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/saferspeeds