The new Make SHI Safer Committee is putting on the pressure to drive the message home that safety measures need to be implemented on State Highway 1 at Woodend and Pegasus as a matter of urgency, Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey says.

“I’m looking forward to working with the committee, which is advocating for a faster response from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) in addressing the community’s safety concerns on State Highway 1 between Kaiapoi and Pegasus,” Doocey said.

“While it is hard to separate out the delayed NZTA Safer Road project to address speed, safety and congestion issues from the need to bring the Woodend Bypass back onto the table with a confirmed date, I think our residents agree that dangerous near misses and accidents need to be addressed urgently. Currently, over 16,000 vehicles pass through the centre of the township daily. In 10 years, this is expected to increase to 26,000.

“NZTA’s own metrics define roads of ‘National’ importance as having daily traffic flows greater than 25,000 in urban areas and 15,000 in rural areas. Based on this, why are the safety works being delayed while NZTA waits on Government for funding, and why don’t we have a commitment to the bypass?” Doocey asked.

Doocey said he has asked NZTA to front the committee and residents at a public meeting.