Update: This consultation is not for the SH1C section of Cobham Drive, between Lorne Street and Howell Ave. NZ Transport Agency announced on 17 March 2025 they will consult with the community from early April 2025 to keep the lower speed limits on specific state highway sections across New Zealand (as part of the central Governments new speed limit rules) before making a decision.
For more information, visit New consultation on urban connectors | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
Proposed changes
We want your feedback on the proposal to keep the 60km/h speed limit on a section of Cobham Drive, between the intersection of Normandy Avenue and Tristram Street, for safety. The central Government’s new speed limit rules will increase this speed limit to 80km/h by 30 June 2025 if this proposal is not approved.
Reasons for proposal
Keeping the 60km/h speed limit supports the safety of all road users. This section of Cobham Drive is a busy road which connects the central city and Hamilton south. An average of 23,000 vehicles use this road every day, and it provides access to key destinations such as Hamilton Gardens, Waikato Hospital and PAK’nSAVE.
Crash data shows a 70% decrease since the speed limit was lowered in June 2023.
Retaining the speed limit means no changes to the road are needed. If the speed limit increases to 80km/h, the new signage required on this road (speed limit signs and curve advisory signs) is estimated to cost $20,000.
Why are we doing this?
Central Government introduced a new speed limits rule, The Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024, which requires all Councils to review speed limits changed since 31 December 2019 and reverse any that resulted in a decreased speed limit on certain types of roads.
Cobham Drive, between the intersection of Normandy Avenue and Tristram Street, is impacted by this new speed limit rule and must return to its previous speed limit of 80km/h by 30 June 2025.
We previously consulted with the community and reduced the speed limit from 80km/h to 60km/h in 2023 as part of the Hamilton City 2023 Speed Management plan. To keep the lower speed limit, Council must consult with the community and then apply to NZ Transport Agency for approval.
The statement of proposal continues in the sections below.
We want our transport network to enable everyone to connect to people and places in safe, accessible, and smart ways. A safe transport system is one of the key objectives of our Access Hamilton Transport Strategy:
"Safety and harm reduction is the top priority. Our outcome is that no one should be injured or killed while moving around Hamilton. Further, people should always feel safe using our transport system - whether walking to a carpark, waiting for a bus or biking through a park".
In accordance with the requirements of the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024, the following table sets out the cost benefit disclosure statement for the proposed speed limit change prepared using the NZ Transport Agency Optional Cost Impact Analysis Tool.
The Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 sets out the central Government’s expectations and references the recently released objectives for road safety. The proposal to keep the speed limit on this section of Cobham Drive address all five principles in the New Zealand’s road safety objectives 2024 document. The proposed speed limits:
- are supported by estimated reductions in the number and severity of crashes
- will have insignificant economic and social outcomes as the current measured average speeds are practically the same as the speed limit proposed
- will deliver an estimated reduction in the number and severity of crashes in an efficient and cost-effective way that achieves value for money, with minimal regulatory burden for New Zealanders
- reflects the changing land use in the area and reinforces the current safe behaviour of the majority of road users on this section of road demonstrated by the current measured average speeds being practically the same as the proposed speed limit
- will be fully consulted to ensure community views are considered, and support public understanding of the process.
Next steps
We’d like your input before we make any final decisions. Please share your feedback before 30 April 2025.
All feedback will be analysed and presented at a Traffic, Speed Limit and Road Closure Hearings Panel on 21 May 2025. Submitters who would like to speak to their written submission will be able to do so at this meeting.
A decision will be made on the proposed speed limit reduction after all views are considered. If Council approves the speed limit reduction, a formal application will then be made to NZ Transport Agency for approval to change the speed limit.
