Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey is calling for two intersections on Lineside Road to be closed, after repeated Chris Lynch Media reports about serious crashes on the busy North Canterbury route.

The latest crash happened on Thursday afternoon, when emergency services were called to Lineside Road and Fernside Road after a two vehicle crash. One person was taken to Christchurch Hospital in a serious condition.

Chris Lynch Media has reported on multiple crashes on Lineside Road in recent years, with many incidents occurring near the Fernside Road and Mulcocks Road intersections.

Speaking to Chris Lynch Media, Doocey said the latest crash report prompted him to act.

“I think we’ve got to step in now, and I’m writing to not only Waimakariri District Council, but also NZTA, calling on them to close the intersections at Mulcocks Road and Fernside Road as well,” Doocey said.

“I think it puts real pressure on Lineside Road. I saw your reporting last night. That’s why I’ve decided to send that letter this morning.”

Doocey said the pattern of crashes around the intersections could not be ignored. “With the growth we’ve seen in Waimakariri for a number of years, it’s put real pressure on Lineside Road. “Now we’ve got people coming through Mulcocks and Fernside Roads, trying to turn right into oncoming traffic into Lineside Road. You’ve also got the compounding issue of the railway line as well, and I think it’s time we closed off those intersections.”

Doocey said people living on Mulcocks Road or Fernside Road could still use Flaxton Road to the west. “I don’t think it would interfere with people living on those two roads at all. If anything, it just makes Lineside Road a lot safer.

“With the traffic now going north and south on Lineside Road at any given time of the day, the pressure those two intersections bring on commuters who are focused on getting to State Highway One or Rangiora safely, it’s about time we close them.” Doocey said residents had contacted both Waimakariri District Council and NZTA over safety concerns, but many felt they had not received a satisfactory response.

“I hear from residents who have reached out to both, and I think at times there’s a bit of duck shoving going on. That’s why I’ve written to them in a joint letter. My expectation is they come together to look at how they close both those intersections.”

Doocey said he had received strong public support after signalling his intention to write the letter following the Chris Lynch Media report. “Since posting my intention of writing the letter after I saw your reporting on Facebook last night, Chris, I’ve received hundreds of people writing to me in emails supporting this pathway forward.

“Also on Facebook, hundreds of comments of people supporting the closure of these two intersections. I think we need to do this.”

Doocey said he would follow up directly with Waimakariri District Council Mayor Dan Gordon and NZTA South Island regional relationships director James Caygill.

“I’m pretty known to pick up the phone, whether it be to Dan Gordon, the mayor of Waimakariri District Council, or James Caygill, the chief executive for the South Island for NZTA, to make sure that they fast track that letter.

“Quite frankly, as per your reporting, there is a number of accidents at those intersections on Lineside Road, and why should we wait for another death or fatality before we make a decision? I think now’s the time.”

Doocey said closing the intersections would be a simple and practical safety measure. “At times, we can think about how we might over engineer and spend a lot of money in redesigning intersections.

“I think the best course of action, which would probably be the least investment, is just to close those two intersections, so there’s no access onto Lineside Road by Mulcocks or Fernside Roads. The residents can go west to Flaxton to connect into Rangiora or Christchurch and Kaiapoi. I think it’s a very simple solution that will ultimately save lives.”