Safety on State Highway 1 north of Christchurch: Saltwater Creek to Tram Road – what people told us
Better visibility at intersections, a review of parking outside the Z Service Station in Waikuku, and safety barriers to
help stop people being killed or seriously injured in a crash are among changes people would like to see on State
Highway 1, through North Canterbury.
The NZ Transport Agency has been looking at ways to make a stretch of State Highway 1, between Saltwater Creek and Tram
Road, safer.
Between 2007 and 2016, 13 people were killed and 48 seriously injured on this stretch of road. Many of these deaths and
injuries were caused by head-on crashes or drivers running off the road and hitting trees, poles or deep ditches.
Transport Agency System Manager Pete Connors says the team held a community event in Woodend in November last year to
share their road safety ideas and to get feedback from people who use the road. They also invited feedback online and by
mail.
“More than 70 people came to speak to us at the community event and we received 74 feedback forms, and a number of
emails.
“Since then, we’ve had great conversations with people in the community and commuters about making the road safer. We
wanted to find out what makes this road feel unsafe and what worries drivers the most,” Mr Connors says.
“People have told us the high traffic volumes, and speed in some areas, made them feel unsafe and some felt nervous
turning onto or off the state highway. Others were worried about drivers crossing the centreline while roadside parking
affecting visibility was an issue for some.
“People also said they would support flexible safety barriers down the middle of the road to help prevent head-on
crashes and they would like speed to be reviewed, and more signs to make people aware of the speed limit. People also
wanted the existing Ashley River/ Rakahuri Bridge widened or a new bridge built.”
Mr Connors says feedback from people who know the road well is really important.
“We use the information alongside our research to make sure we haven’t missed anything and that the safety improvements
we decide on are the right ones for the community and for people who use the road," he says.
The team has also met stakeholders such as Waimakariri District Council, Environment Canterbury and the Heavy Haulage
Association to add to the feedback and information they got from the public, to make sure they have got the full
picture, Mr Connors says.
The project team will make final decisions on safety improvements for this road and share them with the community later
this year.
The Safe Roads project looks to upgrade the road so that a simple mistake on this highway doesn’t result in someone
dying or being seriously injured.
More information can be found on the NZ Transport Agency website atwww.nzta.govt.nz/a2b