There have been three accidents on the Waimakariri state highway in a week.
The calls for change came as residents seek ways to keep the accident rate down on the arterial road in and out of Rangiora.
Following the accidents last week, Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey wrote to the NZ Transport Agency/Waka Kotah and the Waimakariri District Council expressing his concerns about safety on State Highway 71 / Lineside Road.
His proposed actions included calling for the permanent closure of both intersections on Lineside Road at Mulcocks Road and Fernside Road.
Mr Doocey said too many accidents occur with vehicles turning right against the traffic onto Lineside Road.
"Both roads can be serviced by Flaxton Road to the west. We can’t wait until another death before we make this call.
“Lineside Road commuters know firsthand the dangers both these intersections pose as people drive between Rangiora and SH1.”
This sparked debate with many residents recalling incidents they had been involved in on Lineside Road as they added their calls for improvements to the road’s intersections.
“We have previously had discussions with the Waimakariri District Council about potential safety improvements.
“We will be seeking funding in the next National Land Transport Programme (2027-30) for improvements that may include right turn bays at both the Mulcocks Road and Fernside Road intersections, and a wider centreline on SH71/Lineside Road.
"However, as with all transport projects, this will be subject to funding availability and investment prioritisation.”
Waimakariri District Council Mayor Dan Gordon says safety at the Lineside Road, Mulcocks Road and Fernside Road intersections had been on council's radar for some time.
"We recognise the community's concerns about the crash history at these locations. We take these accidents and community concerns very seriously.”
He said Lineside Road is a state highway, and therefore under the jurisdiction of NZTA.
However, Lineside Road forms part of a wider transport network, and decisions about closures or restrictions on the local roads (which are controlled by Waimakariri District Council) must consider broader impacts on traffic flow, access, and safety across the area.
Any solutions need to be developed in partnership with NZTA, as the body responsible for SH71, and KiwiRail, to ensure it improves safety without creating issues elsewhere, he said.
Mr Gordon says NZTA was proposing minor improvements on Lineside Road at the intersections as part of the 2027- 2030 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
However, this had yet to be approved.
Mr Gordon said one option he is particularly interested in is whether the option of a left turn only in and out would be feasible and a simple solution to improve safety.
