Stop sign coming for Lamb Street intersection

A call from residents for a safer Lamb Street will see a stop sign installed at the intersection with Sunline Drive in Leamington in the coming weeks.

The change from a give-way to a compulsory stop intersection is in response to a community petition signed by 90 people, including Pukekura Park residents and members of the Cambridge MenzShed, who raised safety concerns.

The petition highlighted poor visibility, truck movements, the lack of a footpath and concerns about the existing give-way sign.

The petition also called for the speed limit on the section of Lamb Street between Roto-o-Rangi Road and Maungatautari Road to be reduced from 80km/h to either 50km/h or 60km/h.

Presenting the petition to Council, local resident Shane Downey said a lower limit on the narrow section of Lamb Street would create a safer and more consistent speed environment, in line with similar roads nearby.

Cambridge Ward Councillor Roger Gordon, who chaired the September meeting, said the petition clearly set out residents’ concerns.

“We appreciate the time they have taken to raise these concerns with us,” he said.

“The stop sign can be installed quite quickly, so it’s a practical first step while we consider the speed limit request. Requiring drivers to come to a full stop will help improve safety where visibility is poor.”

The petition will now go to the Community Delivery Committee, where elected members will consider the request alongside a staff report before making a final decision on the proposed speed limit change.

Speed limits across the wider area are expected to be considered through future Long Term Plan discussions, which will help set work priorities and funding.

Gordon said Cambridge’s continued growth, including the development of new urban areas, was bringing more people and traffic onto local roads. Council needed to keep checking that speed limits remained appropriate and supported road safety as the area changed.