Selwyn Times: October 03,

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2018 Locally Owned www.star.kiwi GET CONNECTED WITH Scorch Broadband Sobering message Police target bars to crack down on drink driving Celebrating heritage Successful projects require collaborative approach Pages 4 & 5 Pages 13 & 14 0800 726 724 www.scorch.co.nz Failure to fund intersection improvements criticised • By Emily O’Connell WEST MELTON residents will have to wait at least three years before proposed improvements to State Highway 73 are reconsidered. The improvements, which included the installation of traffic lights at the intersection of SH73 and Weedons Ross Rd, weren’t included in the New Zealand Transport Agency’s National Land Transport Programme for 2018-21. West Melton Residents’ Association member Bruce Russell has been campaigning for more than 10 years for something to be done about the busy intersection. He’s “bloody annoyed” at the NZTA’s decision and says the area is “very, very dangerous.” “Obviously the criteria to upgrade this corner is a death . . . a fatal accident,” he said. Mr Russell believes traffic lights would help solve the issue. NZTA crash analysis data shows there have been six crashes around the intersection since 2006. Selwyn MP Amy Adams said she was “incredulous” at the decision and was advised in June by the NZTA it had identified the need for traffic lights and signals at the intersection. •Turn to page 5 FRUSTRATED: West Melton Residents’ Association member Bruce Russell is “bloody annoyed” the proposed improvements to the SH73 and Weedons Ross Rd intersection haven’t been included in a funding programme for 2018-21. PHOTO: EMILY O’CONNELL Free confident driving course for mature drivers Selwyn District Council and Age Concern offer free refresher driving courses throughout the Selwyn district. Upcoming courses: Tuesday 9 October, Lincoln Event Centre. For more information and to book for the next course in your area, contact Age Concern on (03) 366 0903. Proudly supported by the Road Safety Team www.selwyn.govt.nz