The speed limit of Ashburton’s CBD will officially change to 30km/h from Friday 3 December, to provide a safer street environment for people to move about.

Lowering the speed limit from 50km/h to 30km/h is part of the Ashburton District Council’s revitalisation project for the inner town centre.

The lower speed limit applies in the area bounded by East Street, Moore Street, Cass Street and Havelock Street, including Burnett Street and Tancred Street and Baring Square East in front of council’s new civic and library building.

Burnett Street and Tancred Street became one-way a year ago as part of the revitalisation project and now also have angle parking. The narrow paved areas of these roads shared by pedestrians and vehicles has a speed limit of 10km/h.

Infrastructure Services Group Manager Neil McCann said the lower speed zone had been part of the plan and many drivers were already observing the new limit, which becomes enforceable on Friday 3 December.

“Other drivers will have to adjust to the new lower limit.

“Business people have reported that some people are not doing 30 kilometres an hour, which is a concern when we will have more people walking and cycling in the CBD.

“Police have said they are happy to help educate and enforce, if necessary, the new speed limit.”

Senior Sergeant Leigh Jenkins told councillors last week that hand-held laser guns could be used to monitor the speed of vehicles in the CBD. The first step would be education around the new slower centre, but fines might be needed to ultimately get the message across.