Signs confusing

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As part of the changes, the speed limit signs have had their numbers covered over, resulting in posts on local community Facebook pages by people confused as to what speed limit they’re supposed to obey.

Brown says he’s been contacted by a large number of people about the problem.

“The blanked-out speed limit signs everywhere are confusing motorists. I’m opposed to this radical speed limit reduction plan they’ve imposed on Auckland.

“I’ve had huge numbers of people getting in touch about it. They’re confused, frustrated, they didn’t feel like they were able to have their say and that’s something they’re really irritated about.”

AT spokesperson Natalie Polley says the signs are blanked out as part of the rollout of phase three of the agency’s speed limit changes to roads across the city.

She says the changes to local roads are due to take effect on January 26.

“New signs are being pre-installed in preparation for the change, with the number temporarily covered over.

“The default urban speed limit is 50kmh in areas where other signs are not displayed.

“So if the only signs present are covered over, then a 50kmh speed limit still applies until January 26. There are some roads with current 60km/h or 80km/h speed limits within this area. For speed limit changes on non-50km/h roads, the correct installation process is to install the new signs and have a temporary speed sticker/overlay with the old speed limit over it. Then on January 26, the overlays’ removed.”

Polley says AT’s contractor faced delays in manufacturing the temporary speed overlays due to the Christmas holidays.

“Now they have all the temporary speed overlays ready so they will be installed as soon as possible.”