October 2019
Produced for the community, by the community
Woodend Pegasus SH1 Corridor The Woodend Bypass shouldn’t be Bypassed “We will not let this go quiet!” The fourth consultation on safety improvements on our section of SH1 undertaken by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) in the last three years closed on 6 September. A public meeting called by the committee was held in the Gladstone Park Rugby clubrooms on 5 September and was attended by around 90 people. The meeting was facilitated by Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey, with Mr Jim Harland, NZTA regional relationships South Island director, present to answer questions. The meeting opened with a video by Woodend School pupils which highlighted the safety issues at the kea crossing on SH1 which set the tone for the evening. Shona Powell, a member of the committee, then outlined the frustration felt by locals who feel like they have been repeating themselves over the four consultations held and nothing has changed except for one thing - the traffic volumes have increased. One question posed was what traffic volume would trigger the bypass, however, no direct answer was given by Mr Harland. Shona continued saying that even simple low-cost things like reducing the speed
limit between Pineacres and Woodend haven’t happened. “A safe crossing at Woodend School doesn’t seem much to ask for but we have been asking and asking and nothing.” “We keep hearing that the priority is safety. But where is the action?” Mr Harland in reply said that NZTA understood the frustration. He said that NZTA “should be in a position to drop speed limits by Christmas”. Also, that there is not enough funding to do everything across the country and that other communities may have a higher need. He gave a commitment to have answers for the community as soon as possible. Issues raised at the meeting included: - Lack of enforcement for speeding and bad driver behaviour. Mr Harland said he would pass this onto the Police - An underpass should be built at Woodend School and the Pegasus roundabout with the comment that we can get cattle under roads, so why not people. The underpasses at the Pegasus golf course under Pegasus Boulevard were raised as an example. Mr Harland talked about the space needed for the Cont’d on Page 2
Church Notices, Classifieds & Community Contacts from Page 48 THE WOODPECKER OCTOBER 2019 Page 1