Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is set to make a move to reduce the speed limit on Bold Street, Laurieton once the pedestrian crossing construction is complete.
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Speed limits in NSW are set by the NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) in accordance with the NSW Speed Zoning Guidelines.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council director Jeffery Sharp said council can request changes to the speed limit on a road but the final decision rests with the state government.
"The current speed limit for Bold Street is 50km/h, which also is the default limit for all urban areas," he said.
"The speed limit of 40km/h only applies to high pedestrian activity areas (HPAA) and school zones."
Dunbogan resident Mark Odd said he has witnessed too many near misses on Bold Street.
"A change of speed limit would make the main street a lot safer for the older members of our community and also for motorist angle parking," he said.
In 2013 council’s Local Traffic Committee resolved to progress implementation of a 40 km/h HPAA in Bold Street, between Tunis and Laurie Streets.
In 2014 council sought community feedback on the proposal through the community engagement process.
However Mr Sharp said subsequent to the 2014 community engagement, RMS advised that a 40 km/h HPAA would not be considered on Bold Street, until physical treatments were in place to create a self-enforcing 40 km/h speed environment.
"The southern block between Seymour and Laurie Streets has the necessary treatments, but the northern block between Tunis and Seymour Streets does not," he said.
"The first stage in providing the necessary treatments in the northern block is the mid-block pedestrian crossing that is due for construction later in 2019."
Mr Sharp said council is also seeking state government funding for further streetscape improvements for this block.
A 40km/h limit, Mr Sharp said, will create a safer road environment for all road users, particularly for pedestrians, cyclists and children.
"HPAA’s are established in conjunction with a suitable local area traffic management scheme with physical devices or treatments to create a self-enforcing 40 km/h speed environment," he said.