Large speed bumps recommended for dangerous Christchurch roundabout
From reporter Steven Walton:
Controversial enlarged speed bumps are being recommended for a Christchurch roundabout to stop cars crashing with cyclists.
Christchurch City Council staff are recommending a raft of safety tweaks for the roundabout at the bottom of the Port Hills, which connects Dyers Pass Rd, Colombo St, Cashmere Rd and Centaurus Rd.
The Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote community board will decide at a meeting next week whether to go ahead with the staff recommendations.
During public consultation, the majority of people who lived near the roundabout did not support the changes or did not indicate their preference. Some feared it could worsen congestion.
One aspect of the tweaks was adding raised safety platforms at each roundabout entrance.
Similar platforms were previously added at a Lincoln Rd intersection and have faced criticism from some city councillors and mayor Phil Mauger.
Councillor Aaron Keown previously claimed the council does not have a mandate to install the platforms.
Another raised platform on Opawa Rd had not drawn any criticism.
In the case of this roundabout, council staff say a raised platform would reduce entry speed and therefore improve safety.
Staff said if people were hit by a car travelling at 50kph their chances of survival are 20%, but their survival chances would shoot up to 90% if the car’s speed was only 30kph.
Between 2012 and 2021, 27 crashes had occurred at the roundabout, with 10 of them resulting in serious injuries.
In all the instances of serious injuries, the crashes involved a cyclist, motorbike or scooter.
Council staff said about 2200 cars and 65 cyclists used the roundabout during the morning rush. About 2400 cars and 90 cyclists used it at peak time in the evening.
Other tweaks proposed by council staff were narrower entry lanes to the roundabout, wider pedestrian islands, and improved pedestrian crossing locations.
Council staff received a mixed reception when they consulted the public about the work.
Out of a total of 426 submissions, 197 did not indicate whether they supported the changes, 86 were in favour, and 143 were against.
About 150 submitters suggested that solving safety issues at the intersection would require traffic lights.
Council staff say this would not help safety and could cost $2.5 million, whereas the recommended tweaks would only cost $450,000.
The tweaks would be paid by the Government, thanks to a $40m cash injection for roading projects that was first promised in 2017.
Council staff noted that “the majority of submitters who live within the vicinity of the roundabout ... either did not support the changes or did not give a clear indication”.
The area’s community board will meet at 4pm on Thursday, April 13 to decide whether to go ahead with the proposed tweaks.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64.5% Yes
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33.2% No
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2.4% Other - I'll share below
Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
Free Chromebook with Every Laptop Bundle
For a limited time, we are giving away a quality ruggedized Chromebook with every laptop bundle purchased.
The Chromebook is an Acer C734 valued at $500 and has been built especially rugged to handle those rough and tough times.
Of course, you may not want a Chromebook, in which case you might like the $300 cashback.
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