NZ Transport Agency – Canterbury/West Coast

15 March 2010

Open day to discuss bypassing for Belfast

An open day for the proposed Western Belfast Bypass aims to give local residents an opportunity to talk first hand to NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) about the options being considered for this project.

The open day is at the Belfast Rugby Club is on Thursday 18 March from 3pm-7pm. The Western Belfast Bypass will provide a new route from the Northern Motorway (SH1) for about five kilometres south to Johns Road (SH1) near The Groynes entrance.

NZTA Canterbury State Highways Manager Colin Knaggs encourages those living the area to attend the open day and come along with their question and have them answered by those directly involved in the project.

“About 37,000 vehicles a day use Main North Road - making it one of the busiest roads in Canterbury. This amount of traffic discourages walking and cycling as well as restricting public transport. The proposed bypass would nearly halve the number of vehicles currently using Main North Road.”

Mr Knaggs says the proposed bypass would reduce travel times for motorists while a raised median separating on-coming traffic will improve safety.

The NZTA are working with the Christchurch City Council to ensure safe public access to the popular Groynes recreational area. Consultation brochures and feedback forms are at the NZTA website: www.nzta.govt.nz/westernbelfastbypass/ Consultation closes on Friday 16 April 2010.

ENDS

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