There is opportunity for two new passing areas to be created on the Crown Range Rd, reducing driver frustration at the ''snail trail'' and potential accidents, a Wanaka Community Board member says.
Mike O'Connor says vegetation alongside a southbound passing lane, about 4km from Cardrona on the Queenstown side, prevented northbound drivers using it safely.
Removing the vegetation would give drivers from both directions a clear line of sight and a safe passing area, he said.
The other opportunity was closer to the summit, but also on the Cardrona side, where removing a mound on the side of the road, deposited when a chain fitting area was created, would provide a 200m line of sight and passing area from both directions.
''There's not enough areas where you can pass safely. Every time someone gets killed up there, it's another example of not enough passing lanes.''
Mr O'Connor said Crown Range Rd was ''like a conveyer belt'' from both directions first thing in the morning and again in the evening and more passing lanes ''would take away the frustration of the snail trail''.
He had discussed the proposal with the community board members for their consideration, he said.
- Jessica Maddock
