Making our roads safer

Canterbury has been identified as one of three priority regions in the Safe Network Programme recently announced by the Minister for Transport.

The $1.4 billion Safe Network Programme is a collaborative initiative that aims to save up to 160 deaths and serious injuries every year across New Zealand’s highest risk state highways and local roads.

Four Canterbury state highway projects have already been included in the programme, and the NZ Transport Agency will work with Canterbury councils to develop the local road components of the programme.

Environment Canterbury programme manager Samantha Elder says this is a welcome announcement for the region.

“It’s a really positive step that the NZ Transport Agency will be working in partnership with local government to identify and accelerate priority road safety improvements across the region.

“We particularly welcome NZTA’s development of a toolkit of proven safety interventions, and a streamlined decision-making process to enable councils to rapidly implement safety improvements,” she said.

Further details

More information about the programme is available on the NZ Transport Agency’s website, including a map of the confirmed state highway projects.