'Regular reports of near misses': Bid to address problems at intersection

The roundabout at the intersection of Cashmere Rd and Barrington St. Photo: Geoff Sloan
The roundabout at the intersection of Cashmere Rd and Barrington St. Photo: Geoff Sloan
Refuge islands and pedestrian surveys have been suggested to improve a problematic Christchurch intersection following a campaign to address it.

Concerned parents and schools have called for better pedestrian facilities on Cashmere Rd and the surrounding streets due to cars failing to indicate and high traffic volumes putting children in danger.

The issue has predominantly involved the Barrington St and Cashmere Rd roundabout, where residents fear for their safety while trying to cross the road.

Last year, the issue was brought to the Spreydon-Cashmere Community Board, which requested advice on measures to improve the area.

Following an investigation, Christchurch City Council staff now consider the area to be a “high priority” for the installation of safe crossing facilities.

“We would consider this area a high priority for the installation of dedicated pedestrian crossing facilities, particularly given the high traffic volumes and that few nearby facilities exist,” the report read.

“Given the complexities of crossing the road at a roundabout, we would recommend re-considering the previously proposed pedestrian refuge island outside 31 Cashmere Rd.

“As a next step, a pedestrian survey could be undertaken and other community surveying options could be explored to estimate the level of suppressed pedestrian demand in this area.”

Christine Harris.
Christine Harris.
Since the issue was brought forward, a number of groups wrote to the community board with concerns, including disability service Hohepa Canterbury, Cashmere High School and the Barrington Cashmere Safe Streets group.

Said Thorrington School principal Christine Harris: “Locating pedestrian crossing points so close to the heart of the roundabout is a major safety (collision) issue. There are regular reports of near-misses at this roundabout and many parents chose to drive their children to school to ensure their safety.

“While this sounds like a solution, it does not foster independence in children who should be able to walk to their local school.”

Cashmere Rd is a minor arterial road with high traffic volumes consisting of about 16,000 vehicles on weekdays. Morning peak hour traffic is more than 1200 cars per hour in both directions.

As it was an arterial route to and from Lyttelton Port, heavy vehicles make up a “surprisingly” high volume of 10 per cent of vehicles travelling through the location in question.

Due to Cashmere Rd being “strongly” residential and the fact it was nearby green spaces, schools and other amenities, pedestrian demand was high.