23 January 2025

Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Concerns regarding boy racing in Bidois Rd

Enquiry

After receiving yesterday’s response to enquiry about the potential for traffic calming measures in Bidois Rd, the reporter had the following additional questions:

can I ask what a speed bump would cost? (What options are there?) A rubber speed bump? Are these considered for lower traffic areas, why/why not?

If the road was identified four years ago as a priority but speed bumps are deemed too expensive for budgets, but it could cost less than $1000 for an intersection to be marked and signed - was this considered, why/why not?

Noting in particular residents feel the area is targeted by boy racers because it is wide and unmarked.

How many roads are deemed as priority and how many are ahead of Bidois?

Response

We provided the following additional information:

Re types of interventions:

The main types of raised traffic calming devices are Speed humps, raised courtesy crossings, raised pedestrian (zebra) crossings and chicanes.

Re cost of interventions:

The cost depends on the type and size. Speed humps generally cost between $8,000 - $15,000 and raised courtesy/pedestrian crossings between $20,000 - $40,000. These are baseline estimates only and can change depending on location.

Re are speed bumps considered for lower traffic areas, why/why not?

Yes sometimes, where appropriate, such as where there is a high volume of pedestrian movements, eg around schools, or where a certain route is used as a ‘shortcut’ to bypass main roads.

Re whether a marked intersection was considered for Bidois Rd:

Converting the uncontrolled intersection to a controlled intersection is not necessary and likely to have little if any impact on the behaviour of boy racers as they present no physical obstacle.

Re number of roads deemed ‘priority’ and how many are ahead of Bidois:

There are 118 local roads for which council has received requests for traffic calming measures. After a request is received the road is assessed (as previously explained) and given a priority ranking. Once funding has been confirmed, the next step is design work and consultation to ultimately determine what, if any, measures should be put in place.

Bidois Rd currently sits second on the list, based on its priority ranking following an initial assessment. No design work or consultation has yet been undertaken.

In the past council has been able to undertake about one such project per year, based on funding allocations. As earlier explained, there is currently no funding allocated, either by NZTA or Council, to these types of projects.