Slower CBD for Wellington as new speed limits kick in on Sunday

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Slower CBD for Wellington as new speed limits kick in on Sunday

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New speed limits will come into effect in Wellingtons CBD from Sunday, but police wont ticket drivers immediately. Lowering the central city speed limit from 50km/h to 30km/h was a core part of the Lets Get Wellington Moving programme and was approved by Wellington City Council in June. Wellington Mayor Andy Foster said the change was focused on making a safer and more attractive central city, providing better amenity for street-level cafes, restaurants, outdoor public spaces and parks, and encouraging more people to walk, bike, and spend time. Since then, more than 200 new speed limit signs have been installed on streets where the speed limits will change, though road markings will not be changed until after winter. READ MORE: * Police to take 'educational approach' towards Auckland's lower speed limits * Bike lanes should be a priority for stimulus investment, Wellington cyclists say * Plan to speed up Wellington buses' travel times to be considered Police said they would not be ticketing drivers immediately. We know people who use these roads frequently will be accustomed to the previous speed limits. We understand they will need a period to adjust and remember that the speed limit has changed, a police spokesperson said. Therefore, our police officers will take an educational approach to allow people to get used to the new speed limits. With every interaction we have at the roadside, our aim is to encourage safe driving behaviour. However, our aim is to save lives on the road, so if people drive at speeds which pose unacceptable risks, they can expect enforcement action. WCC launched a two-week radio and online awareness campaign on Wednesday to remind people about the speed limit change. The main arterial routes such as the waterfront Quays, Vivian Street, Karo Drive, Taranaki Street and Kent and Cambridge Terraces remain at 50km/h. Retaining a 50km/h speed limit on the main roads gives a strong direction on where the through traffic should go, NZTA senior manager Robyn Elston said.