Proposal to shut on-ramp to State Highway 2 northbound at Groundsell Crescent - Belmont

Christopher from Normandale

Note: submissions close 31st August.

For more information, go to: huttcity.govt.nz/grounsellconsult

Cr Simon Edwards and I met yesterday with Council officers John Gloag and Damon Simmons. It was interesting to learn more about the genesis for the proposal, which is mainly driven by complaints from residents on Groundsell Cres about people rat-running at speed (northbound).

As part of their work on upgrading the lights at Belmont, NZTA have proposed closing the on ramp. This is primarily because the on ramp doesn't meet NZTA's current standards - the merge lane is too short. However, as discussed below, this does not appear to have resulted in accidents other than at a normal level. Given this, it is by no means a done deal that the ramp will be closed and the views of residents are of paramount importance.

There have already been quite a number of submissions and/or emails from residents about the proposal, almost universally against, apart from Groundsell Cres residents.

It appears that traffic calming may be the appropriate end result, perhaps via a couple of speed humps.

It is important that residents carry on communicating and making their views known.

Over the last five years there have been seven accidents recorded in Groundsell Cres, including minor fender bender accidents, so the accident rate is low.

Accidents on SH2 appear to be largely tailgate type accidents or loss of control, mainly when braking it seems. There is no obvious connection to the on ramp with these accidents.

For more information, go to: huttcity.govt.nz/grounsellconsult

Please spread this information with interested residents.

Best regards
Cr Chris Milne
Councillor for the Western Ward, Hutt City Council
Phone 0274 422 708 // 04 586 3890