Southern View: June 07, 2016

8
Tuesday June 7 2016
News
SOUTHERN VIEW
Major speed limit changes proposed
• By Andrew King
SPEED LIMIT changes proposed
by the city council are trying
to find the balance between
pedestrians, cyclists and
motorists according to a traffic
expert.
Every three years, speed limits
on streets are reviewed, this year
27 have been proposed to have
lower limits installed.
In March the speed limit
for the heart of Christchurch’s
CBD was changed to 30km/h to
provide safer, more user-friendly
and enjoyable ways for people to
travel.
Canterbury University traffic
expert Alan Nicholson said while
he supports the proposed changes
in the city centre, the haste
they are being pushed through
could face a public backlash.
“It is great to find a balance
between pedestrians, cyclists and
motorists but if you push cars
out quickly from the city centre
people could get irritated and not
support it,” he said.
He was also concerned about
the drastic change to some speeds
on roads in the wards.
“Some of the speeds will go
from 100km/h to 50km/h.
They possibly should have been
changed in the past now they
have a drastic change,” he said.
Twelve roads in the Riccarton-
Waimairi Ward have been proposed
to have lower speed limits,
seven roads in the Fendalton-
Waimairi Ward,
four in the Shirley-Papanui
Ward, and one each in the
Burwood-Pegasus and Hagley-
Ferrymead Wards.
Some of the roads proposed
run between two wards and
have been counted twice such as
Pound Rd.
These are mainly in new
growth areas where the speed
limit of a once rural road is no
longer considered safe in expanding
residential and commercial
zones.
The city council is also proposing
to extend the inner-city
30km/h limit, which came into
effect on March 12, to include
sections of St Asaph St and
Hagley Ave.
Riccarton-Wigram Community
Board chairman Mike Mora
said lowering the speed limit on
those streets is what the public
wants.
“We welcome the triennial review
of speed limits. We have identified
some roads we think need
to be addressed, so have the public
and city council staff,” he said.
Following the consultation
process city council staff will
consider all feedback and
prepare a report for community
boards who will make a
recommendation to the city
council who makes the final
decision.
The speed limit changes
consultation runs from May 31
to June 21 on the city council’s
website under the Have Your Say
page.
FINDING THE BALANCE:
The city council is proposing
lower speed limits on roads
all around the city to make
it safer for all those who use
them. Inset: Alan Nicholson
Proposed road speed limit
changes by ward:
Riccarton-Wigram Ward
- Avonhead Rd, Carrs
Rd, Halswell Junction
Rd, Jessons Rd, Marshs
Rd, Murphys Rd, Owaka
Rd, Pound Rd, Quifes Rd,
Roberts Rd, Waterloo Rd,
Whincops Rd, Wigram Rd
and Wilmers Rd.
Fendalton-Waimairi Ward
- Grays Rd, McArthurs Rd,
McLeans Island Rd, Pound
Rd, Ryans Rd and Stanleys
Rd.
Shirley-Papanui Ward
- Belfast Rd, Blakes
Rd, Greywacke Rd and
Highsted Rd.
Burwood-Pegasus Ward -
Dunlops Cres.
Hagley-Ferrymead Ward
- Mt Pleasant Rd.
HAVE YOUR SAY: what do
you think of the proposed
speed changes for your
area? Email andrew.king@
starmedia.kiwi
Information for visitors
to Burwood Hospital
New facilities opening from Monday 13 June
Our fantastic new facilities for Older Persons’ Health and Rehabilitation at Burwood
Hospital will be opening from Monday 13 June. The new facilities include three new ward blocks,
a brand-new and fully equipped radiology department, and a new outpatients department which
will be fully open by Wednesday 15 June. Between 13 June and 16 June, Older Persons’ Health
wards will be relocated from The Princess Margaret Hospital.
Patients and visitors should enter the hospital at the new main entrance at 300 Burwood Road –
unless your appointment letter tells you otherwise.
There’s plenty of parking, or you can catch the bus – it’ll drop you close to the new front door.
CDHBMay001CS
Please note that Burwood Hospital does not have an accident and emergency department.
In an emergency phone 111. Call your general practice team 24/7 for all other healthcare.
For more information visit
cdhb.health.nz/Burwood