Slower speed limits to come into force across Bega Valley roads

Motorists across the Bega Valley will have to drive a bit slower once speed limit changes come into effect.

A Transport for NSW (TfNSW) spokesperson said the agency reviewed the speed zone changes in consultation with NSW Police and Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC), and in accordance with the NSW Speed Zoning Standard.

The spokesperson said TfNSW considered a range of factors when reviewing speed settings including crash history and the presence of vulnerable road users (such as pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicycle riders), road function and use, roadside development, road characteristics and traffic mix.

“Streets are not just about moving people and goods – they also interact with places where people live, work and spend time. All of these aspects are considered when setting new speed limits,” they said.

“Speed limits are set to ensure motorists travel at a safe and appropriate speed for the surrounding road environment, and to allow time for drivers travelling at the limit to detect a hazard and react quickly enough to brake or take evasive action.

“This reduces the risk of a crash occurring and means there’s a greater chance of any collision being survivable.”

The changed speed limits will apply to roads across Bega Valley Shire, located at Kameruka, Bemboka, Candelo and Wolumla.

In response to a request by BVSC, the speed limit on the 12.2-km length of West Kameruka Road at Kameruka will be reduced from 100 km/h to 80 km/h.

The spokesperson said this change was made due to heavy vehicle usage and poor alignment.

Motorists will experience an increased travel time of about one minute and 49 seconds.

In response to a Safer Roads proposal submitted by council, the speed limit will be reduced from 100 km/h to 80 km/h on the 17.4-km stretch of Mogilla Road from the Snowy Mountains Highway at Bemboka to Kemps Lane at Candelo.

The speed will also be reduced to 60 km/h in the existing 80 km/h speed zone on Mogilla Road from Kemps Lane to Quinn Lane at Candelo, as requested by the council in the same proposal.

There have been five crashes recorded on this road in the period 2018 to 2023, and motorists will experience an increased travel time of about three minutes and 18 seconds.

The 100 km/h speed limit on a 13-km section of Candelo-Bega Road at Candelo will be reduced to 80 km/h. This will cover the span of the road from east of Eden Street to the Princes Highway at Kingswood.

Inspections found 80 km/h would be more suitable for the winding road environment that had changes in alignment and no shoulder in some sections, the TfNSW spokesperson said.

The road has a poor crash history, with 10 reported crashes in the five years from 2018 to 2023, resulting in three serious injuries.

Motorists will experience an increased travel time of about two minutes and three seconds.

Additionally, following a request from a local resident, the speed limit on the 13.7-km length of Candelo Wolumla Road and Wyndham Lane at Wolumla will be reduced from 100 km/h to 80 km/h.

This road has poor crash history with nine crashes recorded between 2018 and 2023, with three of these resulting in serious injuries being sustained.

Motorists will experience an increased travel time of about one minute and 54 seconds.

An 8.1-km length of the existing 100 km/h speed zone on Wyndham Lane from the intersection with Candelo-Bega Road to the intersection with Candelo-Wolumla Road will also be reduced to 80 km/h.

Motorists will experience an increased travel time of about one minute and 13 seconds.

These changes were recommended based on the frequency of roadside hazards, lack of alignment and a corner with a history of road crashes, the Transport for NSW spokesperson said.

A local resident has also requested the 3.7-km length of Wannata Lane from the Princes Highway to Candelo-Wolumla Road will also be reduced. It will now be 80 km/h (down from 100 km/h).

Investigations found the road had poorly formed clear zones, bad alignment and interactions with heavy vehicles. Motorists will experience an increased travel time of about 34 seconds.

Following a request from BVSC, the 11.2-km length of Back Creek Road at Lochiel will be reduced from 100 km/h to 80 km/h to improve safety.

A review showed a presence of vulnerable road users and pedestrians, as well a poor alignment, which indicated it was unsafe at 100 km/h, according to TfNSW.

Motorists will experience an increased travel time of about one minute and 41 seconds.

Signs to show the changes to the speed zones will be installed one week prior to implementation. These are expected to roll out from 23 September (Monday) and move to each location once the prior work is complete, weather permitting.

Traffic control and reduced speed limits of 40 km/h will be in place for the safety of workers and road users while the new signs are being installed.

Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.

The community is able to provide feedback about speed limits online via the TfNSW website.