Safety concerns with Rangiora cycle route

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By David Hill, local democracy reporter

A proposed cycle way in Rangiora has been approved for further consultation, despite safety concerns.

The Waimakariri District Council’s utilities and roading committee has chosen Railway Rd as the preferred route over Southbrook Rd, as it looks to link the Passchendaele Pathway (between Kaiapoi and Rangiora) with the Rangiora town centre.

The proposed route would head up Railway Rd, along Torlesse and Coronation streets and up Ellis Rd.

But Pak’nSave store owner James Flanagan and Foodstuffs South Island Ltd property development manager Rebecca Parish said following Railway Road past the supermarket was ‘‘the wrong option’’.

In a deputation to Tuesday’s (April 18) committee meeting, Flanagan said up to 10 large, 2.9 metre wide trucks made deliveries to Pak’nSave each day via Railway Rd.

The lack visibility for truck drivers made it unsafe for cyclists, he said.
‘‘The council is making a decision over funding, rather than safety.’’

The project was being funded through the Government’s Transport Choices funding package, which required all works to be completed by June 2024.

But senior engineering adviser Don Young said the safety concerns could be mitigated.

He suggested making Railway Rd one-way, widening the road, and installing signage and flashing lights to warn cyclists of trucks.

The only other viable route would involve crossing the railway line at Marsh Rd and crossing back further up, but this would require agreement from KiwiRail, he said.

Council staff had approached KiwiRail and been advised it could take ‘‘years to complete’’, following KiwiRail processes due to staff shortages.

‘‘We don’t have that timeframe with the funding we have, but we could look at it for the long-term plan,’’ Young said.

Councillors voted to authorise staff to proceed with detailed design and consultation with businesses in the area and other stakeholders.

A road safety audit will be completed and a report will be presented to the utilities and roading committee in July.