Road closures 'a possibility' in wake of sisters' deaths

Closing parts of Summit Rd at night is being looked at as a "possibility" by Christchurch City Council following the tragic death of two sisters on the road late last year.

Seventeen-year-old Tayla Alexander died in the crash in November.

Her sister Sunmara died on her 16th birthday in hospital after suffering critical injuries and extensive burns from the crash.

Their father, Jason Alexander, delivered a petition to the city council asking it to make the road safer last month.

Now city councillor and chairman of the urban development and transport committee Mike Davidson says closing parts of the road at night could be a possibility.

“Closing the area between Dyers Pass Rd and the no exit by Rapaki Track where the crash happened could be an option," he said. 

"But I personally think we need to look at the whole of Summit Rd because the stretch has parts which, if driven at speed, can be dangerous.

Cr Davidson said any changes to Summit Rd would require public consultation.

“We have not made any decisions to go into consultation to close it but it needs to be part of discussions.”

The city council consulted on the Summit Rd speed limit last year and decided to reduce the limit from Godley Head to Gebbies Pass Rd from 100km/h and 70km/h to 60km/h.

It decided against imposing any restrictions to access.