|
 Heathcote residents, fed up with 10 years of Christchurch City Council ‘‘shilly-shallying’’, say a tragedy is almost inevitable at the Lyttelton interchange. The Heathcote Valley Community Association said the cycleway, which pedestrians share on a hazardous stretch on Port Hills Rd under the Lyttelton flyover, must be re-routed urgently.
Chairman Ian McLeod has again asked the Christchurch City Council to
press the Transport Agency to come up with a joint proposal for safe
passage through the ‘‘dangerous intersection’’. Last year, the state
roading authority designated the sidewalks along the Heathcote stretch
of the heavy transport route as shared pedestrian cycleways.
‘‘We’ve got children walking to and from school who have to compete with cyclists for access along a footpath, which is not wide enough for cyclists as well,’’ Mr McLeod said. ‘‘Kids of five, six and seven cannot be left to walk that on their own with cars and heavy trucks travelling to and from the port."
‘‘The route was now being used by increasing volumes of heavy and light vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians,’’ he said. ‘‘Something has to give, and it is likely to be a cyclist versus truck, or cyclist versus pedestrian with a truck as a secondary event. In any case, it will be horrible.’’
Mr McLeod said he was distressed that after 10 years of pleading their case the community had been unable to score any improvement in safety. He lamented the council’s ‘‘apparent lack of interest’’ following a recent response from board staff.
‘‘Last June, we made a plea to the board for an update on progress. Last month we again appealed to the board for that update. ‘‘While they are arguing with the cycling lobby over future spending on cycleways, they are ignoring a dangerous intersection,’’ Mr McLeod said. ‘‘If money can be found for new cycleways, there must be enough to make a hazardous intersection safe,’’ he said.
‘‘We are disappointed that there is neither the concern nor the willingness to do more than talk about the matter . . . when the community raises its voice. ‘‘We do not want this matter left to wait another ten years buried in the Long Term Council Community Plan.’’
Resident Drina Sisarich said many residents felt unable to ask their grandchildren in Avoca Valley to run around to visit, because with no footpath that end of the Port Hills Rd, a heavy traffic route and the shared cycleway, it was by no means safe for youngsters.
|
