Five years after calling for action at an intersection known for high speed accidents, Staveley resident Richie Bruce has been heard.
A work notice to replace a Give Way sign with a Stop sign, on the Boyds Rd approach to the intersection of Inland Scenic Route 72/Ashburton Staveley Rd intersection, has been issued.
District council group manager Neil McCann said the Give Way signs would be replaced with Stop signs, and have larger signs that will be gated. ‘‘Stop Ahead advance warning signage will also be installed on Boyds Rd approaching Arundel Rakaia Gorge Rd (Scenic Route 72),’’ he said.
The latest major crash near the intersection was on August 3. Six people were injured, one seriously, four moderately, and one minor, and transported to hospitals via helicopters and ambulance personnel.
Following the accident, Richie said the intersection, which is near the Staveley Store, was a dangerous spot.
‘‘It’s high time,’’ Richie said of the welcome change of signage, although he thought it was about 10 years too late.
‘‘How much evidence does council need before they act? So far it hasn’t cost lives, but this last one was very close.’’
He first raised the issue after a series of accidents in June 2019. Since then there had been an increase in traffic, with tourists taking the scenic highway route or visiting the Staveley Ice Rink.
‘‘Considering that’s a corner, and we are talking 100kph (speed), it would certainly be appropriate to have Stop signs… and a speed bump might help too,’’ Richie said.
McCann said NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s Crash Analysis System (CAS) showed there had been seven reported crashes (one serious, three minor and three non-injury) at the intersection since 1991, but the corner itself had not been reviewed.
‘‘No specific review had been carried out on the corner, as rural crossroad intersections previously reviewed (following a coroner’s recommendation) have been straight crossroads,’’ he said.
‘‘All other intersections across the network are continuously monitored, reviewed and changed where necessary, and when funding permits.’’
McCann said the district council had issued a site notice to the maintenance contractor, who orders the signage and installs it.
‘‘The intersection was reviewed after the crash and the site notice has already been issued.
‘‘We expect the signs to be installed as soon as they arrive, along with the additional road marking.
‘‘Traffic to and from the ice rink has increased, and we are committed to monitoring and reviewing our signage to ensure it is appropriate for any changes to conditions and road use.
“By changing the intersection to a Stop control, this should make it more visible and give a stronger message to drivers.’’
Richie understood with regard to the most recent crash that a driver had pulled out on to the 100kph highway from the Give Way, in front of another vehicle.
One of the vehicles rolled multiple times following the crash.
Richie was at the nearby historical centre museum at Staveley at the time.
‘‘We didn’t hear the accident. At ten after three a helicopter was turning up and at a quarter past three, when we were out there peering over the fence at what was going on, another helicopter came in.’’
