An online petition calling for improvements at the intersection of Weedons Ross Rd and State Highway 73 has attracted more than 1120 signatures.
The West Melton Residents’ Association began the petition in August and it is expected to be presented to Parliament later this month.
Residents’ association chairman Tim Schurr said they are thrilled with the support from the community.
“It’s been really neat to see the comments of support from the community as well. I think there is a shared understanding that this intersection is dangerous,” he said.
Mr Schurr said on top of the online signatures, they also have 850 signatures on a paper copy.
“That’s what we have in hand right now but many more are set to come in from schools and businesses. We know of another 200, but expect we’ll be well in excess of 1000 paper signatures by the time it closes,” he said.
The petition will close on November 29 and all of the signatures will be compiled.
Retiring Selwyn MP Amy Adams will then personally deliver the petition to Parliament.
Mr Schurr said he hopes the petition leads to traffic lights being put in at the intersection.
“You have kids crossing at that intersection every single day to get to school and with traffic lights, you’d get a crossing signal which would greatly improve safety.”
The residents’ association has been campaigning for more than 10 years for something to be done about the intersection.
NZTA figures show there have been 11 crashes at the intersection since 2006. One was serious and 10 were minor or didn’t cause injury.
The NZTA recently announced it is reviewing the speed limit on the state highway in the West Melton area.
The proposal would see the speed dropped from 70km/h to 60km/h.
Mr Schurr said he is pleased the speed limit is being reviewed but there is more that needs to be done.
It was revealed last October that safety improvements at the intersection weren’t included in the NZTA’s National Land Transport Programme for 2018-21.
The improvements had been recommended for inclusion in both the 2018/21 Regional and Land Transport programmes.
NZTA director regional relationships Jim Harland said the agency is aware of the community’s concerns with the intersection.
“While we have proposed a project to investigate this, demand is very high for projects like this one around the country and this intersection project is yet to reach the priority requirements for funding. We are continuing to work with the district council to monitor this highway and Weedons Ross Rd intersection and collect further evidence. In the meantime, decreasing speed is one way we could improve safety in West Melton.
He said while the safety upgrade project is not currently indicated for funding, if funding becomes available in the future or its relative priority increases, it could be reconsidered.
