Ashburton roadworks: Thumbs up over quick job
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Roadworks completed on time have had some Ashburton businesses praising the contractors.
Businesses have suffered from lengthy road works in Mid Canterbury over the past few years, but it wasn’t the case in the Ashburton suburb of Netherby.
Business owners located next to the Netherby roundabout on Chalmers Ave have praised Ashburton District Council contractors Fulton Hogan for their speed in completing the upgrade.
Netherby Meats owner Mike Hanson said they had been told it would take up to 10 days and the cones were removed on Monday morning after just seven days.
“A job done well and in quick time.
“Business was half the trade last week and it was back [to] flat out on Monday morning.
“The contractors were great, got in and got the job done and have done a good job, so [I'm] really happy.”
Four Square Netherby Owner Kim Woods was also thankful it was only a week of interruption.
“The roundabout needed to be done.
“It definitely impacted business for the short time it was being down, but thankful to Fulton Hogan got it done as quickly as they could.”
Woods couldn’t imagine how hard it was for the likes of the Tinwald businesses that dealt with road works for a year while the traffic lights were being installed on State Highway 1.
Council group manager infrastructure and open spaces Neil McCann said the thicker structural asphalt going down at the two roundabouts was designed to cope better with increased traffic volumes and heavy traffic.
“The road surface at both roundabouts should last for 20 years.”
The upgrades are future-proofing for the proposed second bridge, which will connect to the southern end of Chalmers Ave, and the two roundabouts are the main turn-off points towards State Highway 1.
The cost of the two roundabout improvements was $330,000.
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Powerline tampering/theft across Christchurch.
Police are appealing for information following recent incidents of powerline tampering and theft across Christchurch.
Over the last 10 days, Police have been notified of increasing reports of powerline theft and tampering.
Incidents occurred in multiple central locations such as Disraeli Street in Addington, the area surrounding Hillview Road and Phillips Road in Phillipstown and Brougham Street, they are as wide spanning as West Melton, Halswell, and Marshlands.
Police have informed Community Patrol and Frontline Police units on what to look out for and have communicated with businesses and residents in affected areas.
Police are also engaging with local scrap metal dealers as part of the investigation.
On multiple recent occasions powerline tampering and the theft of copper from the powerlines have led to power outages on affected streets.
Typically once the offenders get what they want, the powerlines are left in an exposed and dangerous state. In one occasion powerlines were tampered with and left broken outside of a Phillip Street Preschool. Fortunately, no one has been harmed, but as far as Police are concerned it is only a matter of time.
Senior Sergeant Roy Appley says: “Our message to offenders is to stop this behaviour before someone, including yourself, gets hurt.
“You are putting yourselves and others at extreme risk of electrocution, for such a small return.”
We are appealing to the public for any information that could assist in identifying and locating those involved.
“If you hear anything out of the ordinary overnight, do not think nothing of it.
“We need Christchurch residents to be aware of the risk of exposed or damaged wires – do not touch them and call Orion on 0800 363 9898 straight away,” says Snr Sgt Appley.
Police urge residents to ring 111 immediately if you see anyone acting suspiciously around power poles and lines, or 105 after the fact
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