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Plans to raise the speed limit to 110km/h on the Northern Motorway from Orewa to Warkworth were not universally welcomed by Rodney Local Board members at their September meeting.
Concerns were raised in proposed feedback put forward by deputy chair Louise Johnston over additional risks of death and serious injury that could arise from the change, and the fact it would make little difference to travel time.
“Such an increase will bring an improvement of average journey times of only one minute and 36 seconds and, given heavy transport vehicles will still be limited to 90km/h, the productivity benefit often spoken of by ministers and others seems negligible.”
However, Geoff Upson, who campaigned on maintaining or increasing speed limits, countered with an amendment to support the increase “noting that the road was built to high safety standards”, which passed with support from Michelle Carmichael, Tim Holdgate, Colin Smith and Ivan Wagstaff. Johnston, Brent Bailey, Mark Dennis and Guy Wishart voted against.
