Temporary Traffic Management

What is Temporary Traffic Management?

Temporary traffic management (TTM) is a system of controlling traffic movement through or past a worksite to achieve a maximum of safety and a minimum of inconvenience for both the road worker and the road user. It is necessary when there are roadworks, construction, events, or emergencies that require changes in traffic flow.

TTM measures can include road closures, lane closures, detours, speed limit reductions, and other traffic control measures that are put in place to redirect traffic and keep workers and the public safe.

Nelson City Council, as the Road Controlling Authority (RCA), requires applicants to submit a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) when requesting access to carry out roadworks, events, or other activities within the roading corridor (road, footpath, or berm)

What is a Traffic Management Plan?

A TMP outlines the practical measures and strategies put in place to safely manage and control traffic flow during a specific period when roadworks, events, or other activities impact normal traffic conditions. This plan ensures the safety of all road users and minimises disruptions.

Please see our Corridor Access Request (CAR) page for further information on how to submit this plan and the costs.

To find out the latest permanent speed limits please use the national speed limit register.

New Zealand Guide Temporary Traffic Management (NZGTTM) UPDATE

In November 2024 the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), across all its state highway network, began retiring the Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management (CoPTTM) and adopting a new guide, named the New Zealand Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (NZGTTM).

The NZGTTM outlines how to use a risk-based approach to plan and mitigate the risks to road workers and road users to keep them safe. The new guidance puts risk assessment and planning first to ensure the TTM control types, design, and equipment used will keep people safe.

The NZGTTM has been designed to be consistent with WorkSafe’s Good Practice Guideline: Keeping safe and healthy on the road and roadside to help organisations meet their legal obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).

From 1 October 2025 Nelson City Council will only accept applications for TTM using NZGTTM

The information below and requirements outlined are required to enable Council, as the Road Controlling Authority (RCA), to fulfil its obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) 2015.

Applicants must submit the appropriate NZGTTM forms and ensure their application aligns with the NZGTTM TMP Form Guidelines

Applicants may include any additional relevant information or supporting documents with their TMP submission.
The required risk assessment, as per NZGTTM, should be based on established best practices, and any traffic management layout drawings should reflect this approach.

Written confirmation that third-party liability insurance has been updated to address the increased risks associated with adopting a risk-based approach to traffic management must be provided. If not provided, the validity of the applicant’s insurance policy may be questioned, and the application may be declined.

Retirement of the NZTA warrant card system

Given the changes and retirement of the NZTA warrant card system for TTM qualifications, Council will recognise the current expiry date of the warrant cards held by traffic management staff as proof of competency and training until they expire.

It will be the responsibility of each person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to determine who is sufficiently trained and capable to work in a particular environment of road and that PCBU obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) are met.

Local Traffic Management Providers

Alliance Services

Sione Salu
Phone: 021 745 192
Email: sione.salu@allianceservices.co.nz
Website: allianceservices.co.nz

Asphalt and General

Nick Christie
Phone: 027 688 0886
Email: nick@asphaltgeneral.co.nz
Website: www.asphaltgeneral.co.nz

Downer

Michaela Jones - TTM Team Leader
Phone: 021 720 784
Email: michaela.jones@downer.co.nz
Website: www.downergroup.co.nz

DS Project Solutions

Janie Pei - Project Advisor Traffic Management
Phone: 027 446 2157
Email: janie@dsprojectsolutions.co.nz

Isaac Construction

Sean Wallis - TTM Team Leader
Phone: 027 256 3608
Email: swallis@isaac.co.nz
Website: www.isaac.co.nz

Kūmānu

Craig Cochrane – Team Leader Traffic Management
Phone: 022 010 6365
Email: ccochrane@kumanu.co.nz
Website: www.kumanu.co.nz

Men at Work Traffic Management

Josh Lawrence – Sales Manager
Phone: 027 262 1717
Email: josh.lawrence@menatwork.co.nz
Website: www.menatwork.co.nz

Nelson Marlborough Traffic Management

Lorraine Klenner
Phone: 03 928 0475
Email: admin@nmtraffic.nz
Website: www.nmtraffic.co.nz

Delay Calculations

Nelson's city roads are increasingly busy. We need to consider the impact of temporary traffic management on commuters, freight, trade, buses, cyclists, pedestrians, local businesses, residents, and others passing through the area daily.

As a general guide, when implementing alternating flow or detour setups in the Nelson City Council area, please include in your TMP delay calculations for the following roads:

• Annesbrook Drive
• Collingwood Street
• Halifax Street
• Hardy Street
• Rutherford Street
• Vanguard Street
• Haven Road
• Main Road Stoke
• Nayland Road
• Quarantine Road
• Waimea Road

Works with predicted delays over five minutes require a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) to evaluate safety, project needs, network performance, and commercial impacts.

Work Restrictions - Nelson and Stoke - Summer Season

During the busy summer holiday period, from 12 December until 9 February (inclusive), as a general rule, no programmed work that affects traffic or pedestrians will be permitted in either the Nelson or Stoke Central Business Districts (CBD).

The Nelson CBD includes all streets within and including Rutherford Street, Halifax Street, Collingwood Street and Selwyn Place.

The Stoke CBD includes all streets within and including Putaitai Street, Neale Avenue, Songer Street, Main Road Stoke and Strawbridge Carpark.

Nelson City Council also requests that all worksites on arterial roads be reduced to a minimum during the above dates to limit disruption to the flow of traffic.

All worksites (Nelson wide) shall be kept to a minimum and/or removed on public holidays to help reduce the risk of sites being tampered with and the need for site checks on these days.

Some exemptions may be given, and these will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
All contractors who wish to apply for an exemption should contact the Councils Road Network Coordinators at roadingcoordinator@ncc.govt.nz with details of the proposed work including affected streets and dates.

Locally Approved Temporary Signs

“EVENT” Supplementary Plate
This supplementary plate is to be erected on a stand, to warn road users of an event.
It must be used in conjunction with a T2A/B (hazard warning) advance warning sign.
Size: 900mm x 300mm
Colour: reflectorised fluorescent orange with black border

“FOOTPATH CLOSED PLEASE WAIT TO BE ESCORTED”
This sign can be used where a formal footpath cannot be maintained because of a temporary activity and the pedestrians can be safely escorted around the hazard.
Size: 900mm x 450mm
Colour: reflectorised fluorescent orange with black border

State Highways

Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency manages the State Highways.
Traffic management applications for State Highways in the Nelson region should be made through their agents.

Further information on Traffic Management Plans can be found on the NZTA website.