SCIRT Media Release: Slow down around roadworks

Roadworks around the city is increasing significantly as works to repair our city’s roads, water, wastewater and storm water networks moves into top gear.

For the next four years, SCIRT, the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team, will have around 100 to 120 worksites around the city.

“Combine this with other rebuild works such as the vertical rebuild, and the city will be a hive of construction activity for some years to come. We understand that roadworks can be frustrating, but we cannot rebuild our city without them. With so much work underway it is more important than ever that the people of Christchurch take care when driving near roadworks,” says SCIRT Alliance Manager, Duncan Gibb.

Safety is SCIRT’s number one responsibility – the safety of Christchurch communities and rebuild workers.

“There will be around 2,500 people involved in the rebuild at its peak of construction and we believe that every one of these people should return home safely each day,” Mr Gibb says.

Every year there are over four fatal vehicle accidents at roadworks sites in New Zealand and 11 deaths. There is an average of six road worker injuries in New Zealand due to crashes at roadworks each year.

Christchurch police have committed to enforcement around worksites and are calling on motorists to be patient and allow extra time to get to their destination.

“It’s simple. People who speed through worksites are putting lives at risk—their own lives and the lives of the men and women who are working to rebuild our city,” says Inspector Al Stewart, Canterbury Road Policing Manger. “Saving a few minutes by speeding through worksites is not worth risking your safety or the safety of others."

SCIRT will be increasing the auditing of its own traffic management systems to ensure signs and cones are efficiently used and not used unnecessarily. Dan Potter is a traffic management supervisor working for SCIRT as part of the City Care team and he says the dangers workers face every day are real. “We are well trained but we are not bulletproof and we want to get home safely to our families. Please, follow the speed limits through roadworks and help keep us rebuild the city safely.”

Hear more from Duncan and Dan by visiting www.strongerchristchurch.govt.nz and following the links under the ‘Latest News’ section. SCIRT is also spreading the safety message through visits to schools located close to where works are underway. Visit the website for information about works underway throughout the city.

SCIRT is a partnership between Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Agency (CERA), Christchurch City Council, New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and contractors City Care, Downer, Fulton Hogan and MacDow Fletcher.