Why we create limited access roads
We create limited access roads in the interests of road user safety. This is because they're often in areas with the potential for unrestricted residential or commercial development – which brings with it more vehicles needing access and higher safety risks.
When we declare a road a limited access road, we authorise existing crossing places to the road through notices to the landowners. The notices specify where the crossing places are in relation to the title boundaries.
How will I know if my property is on a limited access road?
If your property is on a limited access road, it will be noted on your certificate of title (copies are available from the Land Information New Zealand website). The section may also be shown on the planning maps of your local district plan, available from your council offices.
If you're still not sure whether your property is on a limited access road, contact your nearest NZ Transport Agency office.
How does being on a limited access road affect me?
If your property is on a limited access road, vehicles and stock can only access the road from an 'authorised crossing place' designated by us.
You'll need to contact us if you're seeking to:
- obtain an authorised crossing place to a parcel of land that had no formed access at the time the highway was declared a limited access road
- add crossing places to your property
- change a crossing place layout, use or location
- subdivide your property.
What if I need a crossing point to or from a limited access road?
Early in your planning process, contact your nearest NZ Transport Agency office to discuss what you need. And remember, if your plans require a resource consent, we'll be an 'affected party', so you'll need to talk to us before you lodge your consent application.
In most cases, we require access to be from a local road, not the limited access road. However, if this isn't practicable, your proposal should minimise the number of access points from the state highway, and all of them must be safe.
We'll assess your proposal according to its effect on the state highway's safe and efficient operation. Our safety standards include criteria such as:
- the adequacy of sight distances
- the proximity and use of nearby existing access points
- the effects of your proposal on highway traffic
- the extent to which you've tried to obtain alternative access from another road
- the mitigation measures you propose to take
- works already carried out on the highway reserve.
Note that each parcel of land with its own certificate of title must have road access. Generally, we authorise only one access to the state highway if there is no reasonably practicable access to another road.
How do I apply to change or get a new crossing point?
If you want to apply for a new crossing place or change the use, location or construction standards of your existing crossing point, contact your nearest NZ Transport Agency office for authorisation.
Note our authorisation might include conditions that we consider necessary to ensure the state highway's safe and efficient operation. Once the authorisation is complete, we'll send notices about it to the owner and the occupier.
What if I want to subdivide my land or change how I use it?
You'll need to be able to show us that:
- you have the right to do this, such as by getting consent from your local council
- the proposal depends on you having access to the state highway.
Once you've done this, we're required to ask the Minister of Transport to issue a 'notice of approval'. If the Minister agrees to this, we'll:
- send the notice to you (or your nominated agent)
- arrange for the change to be lodged with the District Land Registrar. The Registrar will then record the information on any required new certificates of title
- send a copy of the notice to the relevant territorial authority.
Note that the Minister has the right to impose conditions on your application, and we and the Minister can also decline it. If you disagree with our decisions, you're entitled to take the matter to the Environment Court.
For more information on limited access roads, please contact your nearest NZ Transport Agency office.
