Mid and North Canterbury provinces have written to the NZTA about its project to improve safety on the main road between Selwyn River and Ashburton.
As the two provinces most impacted by the measures NZTA may take, and directly affected by the current hazards, we highlighted the primary safety outcomes our members would like to see:
- double lanes each way to accommodate the ever-increasing volume of traffic on SH1 between Christchurch and Ashburton
- the rumble strips on the edges of the roads be removed and placed in the centre of the road to separate traffic
- clearly marked pedestrian crossings in speed restricted zones in Rakaia and Dunsandel, with centre traffic islands where pedestrians may safely cross one lane at a time
- slow down lanes to allow the safe turning off SH1, particularly for slow moving, but essential to the economy, agricultural vehicles
- no parking zones where through traffic visibility is compromised in Rakaia and Dunsandel
- imposing a 90km/hr speed limit for all traffic on the Rakaia River Road Bridge.