Selwyn Times: March 14, 2018

8 Wednesday March 14 2018
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Your Local Views
Readers respond to the
Selwyn Times’ article on
Selwyn MP Amy Adams’
concerns on the impact
Christchurch Southern
Motorway Stage 2 will have
on West Melton roads
Terri Pickworth – As a resident
of Weedons Ross Rd we will
definitely be affected by much
larger volumes of traffic using
our road to travel down to the
on/off ramps of the new motorway
– as it is a direct link from
the township to the motorway
so, of course, people will take the
most direct route, and to do that
they will have to cross SH 73.
We use this corner regularly
and it has to be one of the most
dangerous in the district for
confusion, near misses, minor
crashes and several major
crashes.
What will it take for Mr Harland
to believe Amy – several
deaths?
Three years until it is upgraded
is a joke.
I have no doubt that if it was
his local intersection something
would have been done long ago
about it . . . which brings me to
the point that when the latest
subdivision was completed on
the corner of Weedons Ross Rd
and SH 73 there was talk, and
surveys, about the corner needing
something to be done as part
of the consent.
WORRIED: Selwyn MP Amy Adams is concerned about the
impact the Christchurch Southern Motorway Stage 2 could
have on West Melton roads including the intersection of
Weedons Ross Rd and State Highway 73.
Why has the subdivision been
allowed to go ahead and still
nothing done at the corner?
I would also be interested
if the district council has
plans to change the speed
limit on Weedons Ross Rd
to accommodate the much
larger volumes of traffic we
will experience when the new
motorway is opened in the next
two years or if they will take
their time and “monitor” flows –
all the while delaying important,
sensible decisions that should be
made before any crashes injure
or kill someone.
Here is hoping you will be
proactive and not reactive
regarding this issue.
West Melton Residents’
Association member Bruce
Russell – In support of Selwyn
MP Amy Adams re: the very
dangerous intersection SH73/West
Melton Rd/Weedons Ross Rd at
the West Melton township.
I need to point out that the
progress to address the problem
by the New Zealand Transport
Agency has been disappointingly
very slow.
The West Melton Residents’
Association has been active and I
personally have held several wellattended
public meetings at the
West Melton Community Centre
on this very matter.
To the NZTA’s credit they have
always sent a representative along
as has the district council.
Safety issues at this corner have
been an issue for many years. They
include students being able to access
the West Melton Domain for
sports, parents and students walking
across State Highway 73 to
and from trying to accessing the
West Melton School and childcare
facilities.
So not only are there safety issues
with walking traffic but private vehicles,
business vehicles and truck
vehicle traffic has all increased
without any upgrade to the corner
in question. Traffic safety issues
have been a top priority of the
West Melton Residents’ Association
agenda for many years.
Discussions about safety at the
intersection in question have been
held with district council for over
20 years that I am aware.
An underpass on State Highway
73 was the request by the West
Melton Residents’ Association as
far back as 20 years ago.
The West Melton School has
always had safety issues with
their students accessing the West
Melton Domain. Today the need
is more of an issue with increased
traffic flow and the fact that the
school has increased to 450 pupils,
easier access to more sports fields
would be appreciated.
Also the safety of foot and
vehicle traffic has been brought
to the notice of district council
counsellors on their annual tour of
the district.
Now with the growth explosion
Local
News
Now
SELWYN TIMES
Fire rages, homes at risk
due to new subdivisions the underpass
is not a sufficient answer
to the problem. A roundabout
has been considered but there is
insufficient land area available for
a two-lane roundabout.
The future safety of this corner
now lies with traffic signal lights
with separate arrow times for right
turning traffic.
An essential requirement not
only for our children’s safety
crossing the very busy roads to
and from school but also the vehicle
traffic volume has increased so
much that drivers are taking dangerous
chances at driving across or
turning right at the State Highway
73/West Melton Rd/Weedons Ross
Rd corner.
It seemed that the belief or assumption
of the planning is that
the expected route for heavy trucks
wanting access the State Highway
73 for Darfield and beyond would
come off the Stage 2 motorway and
travel along Hoskyns Rd to State
Highway 73.
Eggstravaganza
BuffE t
april 1 st
The best thing about Easter is being
with family & good friends. So get
every bunny together for Easter
Eggstravaganza.
Savour a sumptuous family brunch
with traditional delicacies alongside
splendid selection of world cuisine.
11am–1pm & 2pm–4pm
$79 per Adult
$29 per Kids under 12
EastEr Egg Hunt for kids
now
open
Bookings Essential
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Celebrate your special occasion the Terrace Downs Resort way.
Breathtaking views, superb
cuisine giving you the option of
premier accommodation.
Packages available
Let us make your special
day a day to remember!
Phone 03 318 6943
Terrace Downs Resort
623 Coleridge Road,
Windwhistle, Canterbury
Email: info@terracedowns.co.nz
www.terracedowns.co.nz
WIN A $50 VOUCHER
for you and your friend
Like us on Facebook
Tag a friend
for your chance to win!
LISA EDMONDS
SENIOR BEAUTY THERAPIST
4 Eastfield Drive
Lincoln
027 228 0993
BOOK ONLINE
www.flexibeauty.co.nz
openhours
TUES 9:30AM - 5PM
WED 10AM - 6PM
THU 10AM - 8PM
FRI 9:30AM - 5PM
SAT 9AM - 1PM