Speed reduction preferred
By David Hill, local democracy reporter
Reducing speeds rather than installing wire barriers is the best way to reduce fatalities, says a former Christchurch City councillor.
Mike Stevens, who served two terms on the Christchurch City Council, has been meeting landowners and businesses along State Highway 1 between Cam River, Kaiapoi, and Saltwater Creek, north of Ashley River, to hear their concerns.
"People feel like they’re not being listened to and they don’t know what to do," he said.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is proposing to install wire barriers, known as cheese graters, on the centreline.
But at a meeting with Waka Kotahi director of regional relationships, James Caygill, last month, residents realised that under the agency’s guidelines, wire barriers were not required when the speed limit was under 70kph.
Stevens advocated setting a speed limit of 60kph from Cam River, south of Pine Acres intersection, and Woodend, and then from Woodend to Ashley River.
The present speed limit was 80kph.
"There will be complaints, but I would rather see lives saved in what is one of the most dangerous intersections in New Zealand."
He also advocated stopping traffic from turning right at the Pine Acres intersection.
As a former break-down service operator, Stevens said the Pine Acres intersection was "the most profitable intersection in Canterbury".
These days Stevens passes between his property at Saltwater Creek and Christchurch along SH1 each day.
"Whatever they’ve done here has not improved it," he said while parked up in the layby just north of Pine Acres.
The layby was where truck drivers stopped to take a rest or to change drivers.
Stevens said the proposed Woodend Bypass would solve many of these problems, when it opened.
A SH1 business, which did not wish to be named, told Local Democracy Reporting they agreed with Stevens’ sentiments.
A Waka Kotahi spokesperson said a letter had been sent to all residents and businesses on SH1 between Saltwater Creek and Cam River at the end of last year inviting them to contact the agency if they had any concerns.
"We have received a lot of comments about our current design for safety improvements along SH1 between Saltwater Creek and Cam River.
"We are continuing to talk with our partners, undertake further investigations and consider the comments received as we work further on the design.
"We will be keeping the community informed as we progress."
Residents and businesses can still contact safetynorthcanterbury@nzta.govt.nz to share their concerns.
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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0% Yes
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0% No
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0% Other - I'll share below
Canterbury’s Woodend Bypass route confirmed
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The route of the proposed Woodend Bypass in Canterbury has been confirmed - and it might look familiar to locals.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says it has decided the stick with the route which was first designated nine years ago.
Engineers reviewed the route after the Government gave them the green light in July to push ahead with plans.
The 9km stretch of road will provide an extension to the Christchurch northern corridor, otherwise known as the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway.
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey has advocated for the project for several years and said he is thrilled at the latest announcements.
‘‘Many residents across the Waimakariri and further afield will be in no doubt about my passion for this project.
‘‘For far too long now, elderly residents of Woodend have missed medical appointments as they refuse to cross the main road due to safety concerns, and school children have run the gauntlet of getting to and from school.
‘‘Business owners have also suffered because customers refuse to stop on the main road due to traffic.’’
Waimakariri deputy mayor Neville Atkinson said it will be welcome news for local residents.
‘‘It has been a long time coming and the council has always been supportive of this project, so we are delighted that it is moving forward at the pace it is.’’
Last week, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to build an overpass to replace the Pegasus roundabout and provide better access for Pegasus, Ravenswood and Woodend residents.
He said NZTA will release a request for tender for detailed design and construction supervision this week.
The first stage of early works will likely begin in early 2026 with preparation for road widening to four lanes between Lineside Rd and Cam River, while the main physical works are expected to begin later in 2026.
An NZTA spokesperson said it is too soon for concept drawings to show what the Pegasus interchange will look like.
‘‘We’ll be able to share these as the designs progress during this next phase.’’
Details of how environmental challenges, such as two shingle pit lakes which have been created over the last decade, will be overcome have yet to be released.
Final costs have yet to be determined, but it is believed it will cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Woodend Bypass is one of the Government's first five roads of national significance.
The Government is considering roads of national significance to be partially funded by a toll.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.1% Yes
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15.1% No
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2.7% Other - I'll share below
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