Road repairs

The road repairs along the Causeway and Ferrymead Bridge are a joy to behold, and when landscaping is complete, will provide a beautiful gateway to Redcliffs and Sumner. However, there are some problems with the new layout, which need a bit of thought.

The two lanes starting from the Causeway give impatient drivers the opportunity to overtake on either side, and this often results in drivers making a rapid lane change on the bridge itself. Road markings are required well before the bridge, to advise drivers to take left lane for the city, and right lane for Linwood.

Coming back from Christchurch over the bridge is even worse. Traffic passes over the bridge in two lanes, and immediately after the lights is forced into one lane. There are two small signs indicating that the road narrows, but they are insignificant, and too late. The road swings round a bend to the left, and the narrowing lanes cannot be seen until last minute. If the lights are at green two lanes of traffic are funnelled at speed into this bottleneck. I think we require a large sign, actually next to the traffic lights, to advise drivers in good time of the loss of the right lane, and to give them time to merge safely.

There will always be drivers who ignore such safety issues, but I think a little thought on the part of the road planners may be able to save a few lives.

LAWRENCE MORRITT

Sumner