Restrictions aim to reduce speed in parliamentary triangle

National Capital Authority chief executive Gary Rake said the authority would introduce the limits ''as soon as possible'' after speed measurement studies showed average daytime speeds in the area were just 42km/h.

Speaking to about 40 people at the authority's annual public forum at the Australian National University on Thursday, he said some night drivers were reaching speeds in excess of 90km/h in the area.

''During the day, the majority of drivers are arriving at their destination inside the Parliamentary Triangle and the reduced speeds will make the area safer for cyclists and pedestrians and all users,'' he said.

Mr Rake said the proposed ''transport hierarchy'' placed cyclists, pedestrians and public transport users ahead of motorists. The changes, first announced in September 2012, would be consistent with recent trials of reduced speed limits in town centres around the ACT.

In December, Fairfax Media reported the authority would seek to reduce speed limits from 60km/h on roads including Kings Avenue and Constitution Avenue by mid 2013. The changes were first considered as part of planning for the construction of a new Bowen Place underpass.

Cycling advocacy group Pedal Power has called for the reduction in speed limits on Bowen Drive, saying it is one of the cheapest ways to improve safety for the city's growing number of cyclists.

Addressing questions about paid parking on national land inside the Parliamentary Triangle, Mr Rake said extensive analysis would take place on parking arrangements in suburbs including Campbell, Forrest, Deakin and Kingston before the scheme was finalised.

''We have been quite open and we know that it is a change in our policy that is going to push these cars out so we will be at the front of the discussion with the ACT government,'' he said.

''We will tell them everything we can about our analysis and where we expect there will be more pressures.''

He welcomed debate on a proposal from the Community and Public Sector Union ACT branch for the creation of a park-and-ride scheme from the Canberra Glassworks site in Kingston.

''Those car parks are pretty underutilised during the week and that might actually be a really good thing with the bus network on Wentworth Avenue pretty good,'' he said.

The federal budget included plans for the introduction of paid parking for about 9000 spaces mostly used by Commonwealth public servants.