Lilybrook’s ‘ticking time bomb’
Lilybrook residents believe it is only a matter of time before there is a fatal accident at the busy corner intersection. High traffic flows, poor visibility, speed, combined with multiple exitentry points and driveways are making a ‘‘volatile situation’’ residents spokeswoman Paula O’Donnell says.
‘‘The traffic is just constant all day and it is a ticking time bomb for a major accident.’’
The ‘‘ticking time bomb’’ is the car indicators of impatient drivers taking unnecessary risks on a busy stretch of road, one used by schoolchildren to cross the road. She said residents and businesses believed there were near misses almost daily and unless something was done it was a fatal accident waiting to happen.
While vehicles navigating the intersections were the problem, O’Donnell said the main concern was the pedestrian crossing island that had schoolchildren and parents ‘‘running the gauntlet’’ each morning and afternoon.
‘‘It’s a steel bar in the middle of the road separating the pedestrians from a constant stream of traffic. It is not going to stop much.’’
Waimakariri District Council roading manager Ken Stevenson said the council understood the concerns.
‘‘There is quite a bit going on with the Percival St and Johns Rd intersections quite close together and there is the access to the Lilybrook shops as well,’’ Stevenson said.
‘‘Drivers certainly need to take care at the intersection as well as residents when accessing their driveways.
‘‘The council has no immediate plans for any improvements at the intersection, however we monitor all roads and look at improvements when necessary. As traffic volumes continue to increase, it is possible some improvements will be necessary in the future.’’
The residents and business owners just hope it doesn’t take a tragedy to bring any changes.
While ruling out any immediate major changes, Stevenson said the council would investigate the residents’ suggested visibility issues caused by road side trees and whether signage in the area was adequate. Being a main arterial route ruled out a full pedestrian crossing being installed but potential improvements to safety would be looked at.
Stevenson said the 50kmh speed limit was the appropriate speed limit for urban environments, however, drivers also needed to drive at a speed that was safe depending on the traffic density and roadside activity, such as pedestrians and cyclists.