The
FEBRUARY 2018
Produced for the community, by the community
Increasing safety concerns regarding Southern entrance to Woodend A group of concerned residents have met together with MP Matt Doocey and media to discuss their safety concerns regarding the southern entrance to Woodend.
They feel there is no room for following vehicles to negotiate turning traffic, and are in fear of being rammed by a vehicle from behind travelling at 100kmh.
The residents, who live along this road, which is currently a 100kmh zone, say an increase in traffic and a number of accidents over the years, including a fatal accident just last year, make 100kmh no longer an appropriate speed.
There are also concerns the three new subdivisions close-by, along with the increasing population, means the traffic volumes will continue to increase and the situation worsen.
MP Matt Doocey is concerned money will be diverted by the Government from planned projects, which would help address some of the current issues, and will instead be used to fund pet projects like the trams in Auckland. As a result he has launched a petition to support the planned Christchurch Northern Motorway Extension from Belfast to Pegasus, including the Woodend Bypass. This stretch of motorway completes the package of roading solutions to deliver reduced congestion, reliable travel times, and increased safety for Waimakariri residents. The petition is asking the Government to commit to the funding of the Christchurch Northern Motorway between Belfast and Pegasus. At the meeting, residents discussed experiencing pressure situations when they are trying to slow down and turn into their driveways, with cars and trucks regularly tooting at them from behind.
The group discussed possible solutions as reducing the speed to 70kmh, widening the road and introducing a lay-by lane for turning vehicles, and no right turn into Sandhill Rd. In a recent submission to the NZTA, the Woodend Community Association requested for the speed limit to be changed, due to safety concerns, as it is too fast and traffic isn’t slowing enough before it enters the Woodend township. They asked for it to be 70kmph from Pine Acres and to drop to 50kmph just before Sandhill Road. The Woodend Community Association feels a reduced speed limit will help to mitigate any risk with the big and slow trucks coming in and out of North End Sand and Shingle, will make it safer for the residences along this stretch of road to go in and out of their driveways, and for traffic turning in and out of Sandhill Road.