Trucks banned from street

Press, 20 December 1978, Page 1

Trucks banned from street

New signs (pictured) the first of their kind in Christchurch, have been erected at both ends of Stratford Street, Fendalton, to protect residents of the street from disturbance by heavy vehicles. The signs, two at each end of the street, warn the drivers of heavy vehicles that they are prohibited from using the street unless they have business in it. The Ministry of

Transport will enforce the restriction. About 100 heavy vehicles have been using the street each day as a short cut between Idris Road and Fendalton Road. Many of them drive through early in the morning, or late in the evening, according to the Waimairi County's deputy engineer (Mr G. W. Main). The County Council canvassed its ratepayers about two years and a

half ago to gauge reaction to the use of residential streets by heavy traffic. “Stratford Street topped the list in percentage of returns alone,” said Mr Main. “The master transportation plan showed that Stratford Street was a minor route and on that basis we had grounds to prohibit heavy vehicles." The council proposed a cul de sac at the northern end but, although Strat-

ford Street residents approved, objectors in the vicinity won an appeal to the Town and Country Planning Appeal Board, which directed that the council use other means. If the signs are not an efficient deterrent the council will seek alterations to the intersections at both ends of the street to make turning difficult for heavy vehicles. However, the council will not try to keep heavy

traffic off Russley Road and Masham Road even though residents there have petitioned it to do this. The roads were major arterial routes planned to carry much traffic, said the County Engineer (Mr A. J. Lamb). Much of Russley Road also ran through rural areas and a relative lack of intersections allowed more economic running of heavy vehicles.