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Speed limits are being lowered on several roads on the NSW South Coast. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Speed limits have been reduced on several roads in the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla shires, including on parts of the Princes Highway.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the existing speed limits were reviewed in consultation with NSW Police and local councils, and in accordance with the NSW Speed Zoning Standard.
“We are reducing and extending existing speed zones at Brogo, Bemboka, Tomakin, Bergalia and Batemans Bay after receiving concerns from community members, residents or councils,” the spokesperson said.
From 24 July, work will begin to reduce a two-kilometre length of the Princes Highway at Bergalia (from 1.1 km north to 900 metres south of Bingie Road) from 100 km/h to 80 km/h.
A 550-metre length of the Princes Highway at Batemans Bay will also be reduced from 100 km/h to 80 km/h north of Cullendulla Drive.
From 31 July, a 5.9-km length of the Princes Highway at Brogo Pass will be reduced from 90 km/h to 80 km/h from north of Little Glenn Oakes Road to west of Blanchards Road, Brogo.
From July, work will begin to reduce the speed limit of a 1.4-km length of the Snowy Mountains Highway at Bemboka, from Lord Street to west of Robertson Street, from 60 km/h to 50 km/h.
From 23 July, the speed limit on the length of Barlings Drive and Thomsen Place in Tomakin will be reduced from 100 km/h to 50 km/h.
From 26 July, a 3.7-km length of George Bass Drive at Tomakin will be reduced from 100 km/h to 80 km/h from west of Barlings Drive to south of Rosedale Parade, while a further 3.5-km stretch will be reduced from 70 km/h to 50 km/h from south of Rosedale Parade to Waroo Crescent.
The Transport for NSW spokesperson said several factors were considered when the NSW Government reviewed speed limits, such as:
- crash history and the presence of vulnerable road users (such as pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicycle riders)
- road function and use
- roadside development
- road characteristics
- 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.”
Electronic signs will be onsite one week before and one week after the installation of new speed zones.
Earlier this year, Transport for NSW reduced the speed limits on roads around Marulan and Towrang, north of Goulburn, and also reduced the speed limit for the road between the Far South Coast towns of Bega and Tathra.
The community is welcome to provide feedback about speed limits through an online portal on the Safer Roads NSW website.