16 Mar 2018

The Council will next week consider a recommendation against banning cars from the Summit Rd at night.

Public consultation was carried out last year on a proposal to restrict vehicle access to parts of the Port Hills’ road in a bid to protect the isolated and ecologically sensitive area from vandalism and damage and to improve road safety.

Banning cars from the Summit Rd at night has been proposed as a way to curb anti

Banning cars from the Summit Rd at night was proposed as a way to curb anti-social behaviour.

The restriction would apply to a stretch of the Summit Rd from Rapaki Rd to Gebbies Pass Rd, and Worsleys Rd (Summit Rd to Worsleys Track) between 10pm and 5am on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and on public holidays. Local residents would be exempt.

However, a Hearings Panel report to be considered at next Thursday's Christchurch City Council meeting  recommends the Council does not go ahead with the proposal.

The panel considered all submissions, including those presented by the NZ Police and the Summit Road Protection Authority, along with a Council staff report which recommended the restrictions should not be approved.

The panel agrees with the staff finding, saying the proposal would be difficult to enforce and could end up shifting anti-social behaviour to other areas where it might present a greater risk to the public.

It would also restrict the freedom of law-abiding night-time visitors who might want to enjoy the “night-time scenic (sometimes romantic) views and isolation of the Summit Rd…”.

Instead, the panel, which was chaired by Councillor David East, has called for the Port Hills Management Plan to be fast-tracked, saying it could help address concerns for the Summit Rd and other roads in the area.

It also suggests the Council considers both lowering the speed limit on the Summit Rd and introducing a mechanism – such as number plate recognition technology - that would potentially identify drivers for crime prevention purposes.

It notes that the NZ Police are willing to assist with measures to curb anti-social behaviour. The panel report also requests a joint briefing on the issue be held as soon as possible for all local Community Boards.