Couple call for road safety concerns to be addressed

David Killick and Alexandra McDonough-Killick are on a mission to make the streets of Hoon Hay safer for pedestrians and motorists.

Their concerns​​​ about traffic safety in Hoon Hay have led them to compiling a comprehensive inventory of sites around their neighbourhood they feel need work done on them to improve traffic flows and enhance pedestrian safety.

The couple have voiced their concerns a number of times to the Spreydon-Cashmere Community Board citing the rapid expansion of housing subdivisions and commercial properties in the south-west of the city, an area already established as having more homes under construction than in any other part of the city.

Killick said he has become concerned in recent years about the increase in traffic flows to these many new housing subdivisions along Sparks Rd, Cashmere Rd and neighbouring streets has increased substantially and so have the crashes.

“Crossing many of these roads has become increasingly dangerous. We have seen a number of accidents and we strongly urge community representatives and authorities to take action to minimise the risk for all road users,” he said in his report to the community board.

The couple said their main areas of concern were:

1. Crossing point on Sparks Rd opposite Centennial Park. There is a pedestrian island here and it’s frequently used by pedestrians, including school children, dog walkers, people with pushchairs, and cyclists. Warning signs on the approach to this crossing were removed some years ago and not replaced. Traffic zooms along without slowing down. The new cycle crossing point, controlled by lights, about 50m west, is much safer. Warning signs near the pedestrian island would be helpful. As this is a crossing to a school, should traffic be allowed to travel at 50km/h-plus here?

2. Turning into Waimokihi Pl from Sparks Rd. Engineers assured us there would be a turning lane but there isn’t, only cross-hatching, which is too narrow and risks turning cars being shunted by fast-moving traffic heading west. It is safer to hold up the traffic and wait for a gap in the traffic to turn right. Warning signs would help.

3. Intersection of Sparks Rd and Lyttelton St. Traffic is often so busy that it is only possible to turn right (from each road) on the red light. Often, cars continue straight ahead on amber or red, making this manoeuvre even more dangerous. There have been a number of accidents here. The best solution would be right-hand turning lanes and arrows.

4. Intersection of Sparks and Hoon Hay Rds. As above.

5. Lack of pedestrian crossing on corner of Hoon Hay Rd and Rose St near Good Life Dairy. This is a very popular dairy. Pedestrians, including children, often walk out into the traffic. This is incredibly dangerous. A crossing is needed here urgently.