The New Zealand Transport Agency wants more feedback on open road speeds for State Highway 35, and has extended the submission date to tomorrow, December 20.

The NZTA is asking locals for their feedback on the current speed limits on the open road between Gisborne and Te Puia Springs.

State Highway 35 has been selected for a speed review as part of the national Safe Network Programme, which is identifying roads where changing speed limits could make a big difference in preventing deaths and serious injuries.

A formal consultation for proposed speed reductions through townships between Gisborne and Te Puia Springs closed on December 6.

But the transport agency is still collecting feedback from locals about safe and appropriate speeds for the open road on State Highway 35.

“We do not yet have any proposals for speed limits on the open road outside of the township locations,” said NZTA regional relationships director Emma Speight.

“We just want to open the floor for a korero and hear people's views,” she said.

“The speed limit is the maximum legal speed that you can travel at on a road in perfect conditions. But road conditions are rarely perfect and speed increases both the likelihood of crashes and the severity of crash outcomes, regardless of what causes a crash.

“A small change in speed makes a big difference.

“Asking for feedback is the earliest phase of the process towards possibly changing the speed limits. We'll use the information we get from the public in conjunction with advice from our safety engineers to come back to the community with a proposal, which we'll then formally consult on.

“Submissions received about the township speed review consultation are now being analysed by the Transport Agency, and a decision will be communicated early next year.”

■ Share your thoughts about open road speeds before tomorrow by visiting www.nzta.govt.nz/SH35-have-your-say, emailing Gisborne.Speed.Reviews@nzta.govt.nz or posting to NZ Transport Agency, National Office, Private Bag 6995, Wellington 6141, Attention, SH35 Speed Review open road - engagement.