Two North Canterbury schools fear for the safety of students and residents if a Woodend Bypass toll is imposed, as motorists “rat-run” to avoid paying it.
Kaiapoi North School and Te Kura o Tuahiwi already faced issues with speeding motorists, and their communities feared it would only get worse, as motorists looked for alternative routes to avoid getting hit in the backpocket.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency announced last week it proposed a toll for the planned Belfast to Pegasus Motorway, which included the Woodend Bypass.
It proposed two tolling points, with each charging $1.25 per passing light vehicle, and $2.50 for heavy vehicles — or up to $5 a day for a return trip for light vehicles.
NZTA identified Williams St and Smith Stt in Kaiapoi as an alternative, toll-free route, while community leaders feared Revells Rd through Tuahiwi would also be used by motorists.
Kaiapoi North School had been working with the Waimakariri District Council to address safety concerns outside the school.
“We are worried about the impact it will have on the safety of our children and their families,’” principal Jason Miles said.
He said the school’s board of trustees would be discussing whether to make a submission.
Te Kura o Tuahiwi and the Tuahiwi Marae have worked with the Waimakariri District Council on safety improvements on Revells Rd, Tuahiwi.
“We are quite isolated, but we do get trucks coming through. It is another thing to worry about in keeping our tamariki safe before and after school,” Te Kura o Tuahiwi principal Dot Singh said.
Former Waimakariri Mayor David Ayers said he would be making a submission against the toll.
The council has supported the bypass for years to improve safety in Woodend, but Ayers fears a toll will undermine safety.
“It is very hard to walk across Main Rd [Woodend]. I’m not opposed to a toll on a longer road but, on a shorter route like this, it is easy to take a detour which will impact on the safety of Woodend, Kaiapoi and Tuahiwi residents.”
Waimakariri district councillor Philip Redmond, the council’s roading portfolio holder, said $70,000 had already been spent on safety improvements outside Kaiapoi North School.
“At least [NZTA] are not directing traffic through the town centre, but I’m not sure if people will follow the advice and use Smith St.”
Redmond questioned how NZTA could justify the cost/benefit, given the safety risks posed by motorists “rat-running” through Kaiapoi and Tuahiwi to avoid paying the toll.
“There is a philosophical argument that we pay road user charges, so it should cover our roads.”
Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board chairperson Jackie Watson said the board would be making a submission.
“It is a huge concern. The resulting traffic jams are going to be diabolical. It is absolutely ridiculous.
“I’m also worried about how the older population are going to go with paying the toll.”
Cabinet would make the final decision on the toll and Transport Minister Chris Bishop said it would be inappropriate for him to comment.
He encouraged residents to make a submission.
An NZTA spokesperson said the potential impact on Williams St in Kaiapoi had been considered.
“Among the expected benefits of this Belfast to Pegasus tolling proposal is a significant projected decrease in traffic on SH1 through Woodend.
“Traffic modelling indicates, once the new motorway opens, tolling will result in more people using alternative travel routes, compared to not tolling the road.
“However, traffic is expected to move from local routes to tolled routes over time as the benefits of the new roading become clear.”
The spokesperson said NZTA would work with the Waimakariri District Council and the Kaiapoi and Tuahiwi communities to address the potential impact.
On a tolled road, cameras took a photo of vehicles as they passed the tolling points. Motorists could set up a toll account on the NZTA website. If they didn’t, the registered vehicle owner would be sent an invoice after five days.
Consultation was open until Tuesday, September 9.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.