The NZ Transport Agency is inviting people to have their say on safety improvements to the Weld Pass* section of State Highway 1 in Marlborough.
This stretch of highway is part of a vital link between Christchurch and Picton – 12 km south of Blenheim and 10 km north of Seddon. It is used for freight, and by tourists, holidaymakers and people driving to work. Tight corners and steep drop offs make it a high-risk road.
From 2007 to 2016, over ten years, 12 people were seriously injured in nine crashes on this 3 km stretch of road.
“There are things we can do to make this road safer and it’s important that locals and people using this road have their say so we can be sure we get it right,” says Transport Agency System Manager Frank Porter.
“The improvements we’re looking at include wide road shoulders so drivers have room to recover if they make a mistake, safety barriers along the side and centre of the road to prevent drivers running off the road or having head-on crashes, as well as slow vehicle lanes so there’s room to safely pass slower vehicles on uphill sections.
“People make mistakes on the road, but they shouldn’t have to die for them. Improvements like these can give them a second chance. These changes will also improve our ability to keep the road open if there are earthquakes or landsides.”
The project team has been in touch with local landowners and iwi to discuss these improvements, and is keen to hear from others. The consultation runs for three weeks from 23 February (Friday) to 16 March (Friday).
To have your say check out the NZ Transport Agency website or pick up a feedback form from the Marlborough District Council office or Marlborough District Library in Blenheim.
Safety improvements to Weld Pass on SH1 are part of the government’s $600 million Safe Roads and Roadsides programme, targeting the prevention of 900 deaths and serious injuries on high-risk rural state highways over the next decade.
More information about the safety improvements as well as information on how to share feedback is on the NZ Transport Agency website: www.nzta.govt.nz/sh1-wp
Feedback forms are also available at:
Marlborough District Council
15 Seymour St
Blenheim
Marlborough District Library (Blenheim)
33 Arthur Street
Blenheim
Marlborough Roads Office
Level 1, The Forum
Market Square
Blenheim
* The Weld Pass starts at the Seventeen Valley Stream to the north and winds up the side of a valley about 180 metres to the top of the pass, before dropping down to the Utuwai Overpass to the south.
