Over the hump: Cambridge and Kihikihi speed bumps to be smoothed

Community concerns over steep speed bumps in Cambridge and Kihikihi are to be urgently addressed, after Waipā District Council’s Community Delivery Committee voted unanimously today that changes are needed.

Six speed bumps – four in Cambridge and two in Kihikihi – will be modified as soon as specialist contractors are available, with another six also in line for smoothing out.

Mayor Mike Pettit said the speed bumps – officially known as raised safety platforms – are a genuine issue for people in the community, including for emergency services.

"While raised safety platforms play an important role in keeping our streets safe for people walking and cycling, we need to make sure they are working for everyone,” he said.

The six being prioritised for modification are:

• Victoria Street pedestrian crossing, north of the clock tower, Cambridge
• Hamilton Road pedestrian crossing by the Athletics Club, Cambridge
• Cambridge Road pedestrian crossing near Kelly Road, Cambridge
• Cambridge Road and Hugo Shaw Drive intersection, Cambridge
• Whitmore Street pedestrian crossing outside Kihikihi School
• Oliver Street pedestrian crossing between Whitmore Street and Grey Street, Kihikihi

The estimated cost of the work is about $180,000. It will be paid for by reprioritising the existing transportation budget. Staff were directed to get the work underway before Christmas if this was possible, in consultation with emergency services.

The decision follows an independent review of 12 raised safety platforms in the two towns, after elected members and the community raised concerns that some were not performing as they should.

The review checked each one against approaches used by local governments in Victoria, Australia, alongside NZTA’s safe system guidance. Each was assessed for steepness, platform height, signage and how it performs for heavy vehicles and emergency services. Ramp steepness was found to be the most common issue.

Staff will report back to the committee or full Council with costs and timing for the other six speed bumps, and how the work fits alongside the existing transport programme. The total cost of modifying all 12 is estimated to be about $310,000.