Efficient movement of people and freight

People require a land transport system that provides access to work, education, social and recreational opportunities. The Canterbury economy is dependent on the land transport system for the efficient and reliable movement of freight. Increasing transport costs as a result of global oil prices and traffic congestion, as well as concerns around road safety, public health and transport emissions, increase the need for a wider range of efficient and sustainable transport options. Securing the required funding to meet the region’s future transport needs is critical.

In 2009, a piece of research was commissioned to develop a deeper understanding of the Canterbury issues that the National Freight Demands Study (2008) raised for the region.  This report looked at the potential for accomodating additional freight traffic on rail and/or coastal shipping, as the overall freight task grows over time.

Both the full report and its Executive Summary can be dowloaded from the links below:

Rail and Coastal Shipping Potential in Canterbury -  Final Report - June 2009 (pdf 2.4MB)

Rail and Coastal Shipping Potential in Canterbury - Executive Summary - June 2009 (pdf 1.1MB)

Traffic congestion

Increasing traffic volume is putting pressure on infrastructure and the environment throughout the region, particularly in the greater Christchurch metropolitan area. Careful land use planning, transport planning and infrastructure provision is required to manage future traffic congestion.

Road safety

Forty-six people were killed on Canterbury roads in 2008 (equating to 8.3 deaths per 100,000 people), with many more seriously injured. This places a financial burden on the health system and emergency services, and impacts even more significantly on individuals and families.