Concerned users of Allens Rd are calling for a public meeting to garner support over the lack of footpath and streetlights on a 500m section of Allens road.
Some report close shaves between pedestrians, cyclists and motorists and want Ashburton District Council to act now, before someone gets hurt, or killed.
Lochlea Lifestyle Resort manager Tony Sands, a former police officer, is leading the charge and is keen to hear from other concerned users. People can contact him directly via email at [email protected]
‘‘I have no doubt that at some point there is every possibility that a fatal or serious accident is going to happen,’’ he said.
‘‘Most days you will see walkers and runners of all ages… mum’s walking babies in prams and cyclists.
‘‘My staff, residents and I have seen vehicles travelling along Allens Rd without deviation, causing pedestrians and cyclists to move on to the grass verge.’’
He said the portion of road in question was about 500 metres long from Racecourse Rd to Mill Stream.
The sealed section of the carriageway measured 6.3m wide, had a small shingle verge, grass then a ditch, on both sides of the road.
It was a popular route that ran alongside residential housing, Ng King Brothers Chinese Market Garden Settlement and the main entrance to the second Lochlea village resort; under the direction of council.
There was also a growing number of subdivisions in the vicinity.
‘‘Since late 2022, I have received numerous complaints from my residents about the dangerous state of Allens Rd. There have been many incidents of people being endangered by motor vehicles driving along (it),’’ he said.
One case was on December 2 last year was reported by a staff member who came across a young pupil pushing his bike and crying.
The boy said he was nearly hit by a utility vehicle towing a trailer.
Sands said he had raised the issue in the past with former Mayor Neil Brown, and with Mayor Liz McMillan.
He was initially told there were plans to widen the section of road, construct new kerb and channel, a footpath and install streetlights.
However, most recently, he was told the work was not high priority.
It did not sit well with Sands.
‘‘Allens Rd is one of the main arterial roads for accessing the Allenton shops, Allenton School, Three Rivers Health, and Ashburton township.
“There are numerous new subdivisions in the northeast of Allenton that use the road,’’ Sands said.
‘‘While served its purpose when rural, as a residential road, it certainly does not now.’’
Allenton School principal Andrew Leverton agreed.
He said it was a rural road where the land use around it had changed and he supported the call for a footpath to be installed.
‘‘If it’s going to make things safer for all road users, including drivers of vehicles, because they are operating on a narrow space as well, then you put kids on bikes there, it’s close, a very close space,’’ he said.
‘‘Traffic volumes have changed, land use has changed and I guess the last piece of the puzzle – with all these subdivisions going in up there – is to tidy the roading up and pop in a footpath.’’
