Transport Minister Demands Councils Adopt New Traffic Guide

Transport Minister Chris Bishop has announced a new directive for councils across the country, mandating the adoption of a revised traffic management guide. This guide aims to replace the existing traffic management code of practice, which Bishop describes as overly prescriptive and responsible for excessive use of road cones.

Bishop highlighted the issue during an interview with RNZ, citing examples of unnecessary temporary traffic management measures. He remarked, “We still see ridiculous temporary traffic management measures on local streets, such as quiet cul-de-sacs covered in road cones because of minor work on a footpath.” He emphasized the need for individual assessments of each location to determine the appropriate safety measures required.

In his push for the new guidelines, Bishop pointed out the need for greater accountability regarding unattended work sites. The Minister stated that improved on-street monitoring and regular checks would help mitigate instances where cones are left in place longer than necessary.

When questioned about the financial implications of temporary traffic management, city council representative Wright admitted that the council does not currently track total spending on these measures. “The council does not currently track total spending on temporary traffic management because it is delivered through a range of mechanisms and business units across the organisation,” he explained to The Star.

Temporary traffic management, or TTM, is employed not only for transport projects but also by parks and events teams, among other departments. Wright mentioned that financial reporting for specific capital projects is being revised to provide a clearer view of TTM costs at the project level.

While the city council has yet to formally adopt the new TTM guide, some contractors have already begun to trial its provisions. Wright acknowledged that the timeline for full implementation across all roading projects remains uncertain. He stated, “The focus of the new guide is to have the right-sized temporary traffic management relative to the hazards and risk presented by the works.”

The responsibility for determining the number of road cones used lies with the contractors, as the city council does not mandate specific quantities. Wright confirmed that the council lacks comprehensive data on the number of cones in use or the financial expenditure associated with them at any point in time.

As councils prepare to align with Bishop’s new directive, the focus will be on creating a more efficient and sensible approach to traffic management, reducing the clutter of unnecessary road cones while maintaining safety on the streets.