THE MESSAGE IS NO…The voting has been consistent for 19 hours. While the numbers have grown, 95% of responses are to say no.The problem is that this project needs a policy change. Actually reads the article written by Chris Lynch as he explains the issue well.

A 40% reduction in accidents on the very low 2020 levels is near on impossible and in my view the CCC staff know that.

However the elected members endorsed the target in the 2024 LTP, so staff have no choice but to shoot for it. The only vaguely effective tool in the box, for this impossible mission, is more and more traffic management. However, we have hit the plateau of diminishing returns.

We are at the point where driver frustration is on the rise and that causes accidents too.

When these proposed speedhumps don’t bring us closer to the impossible 40% target the staff response will be to design and deliver the next wave, it’s the only tool left in the box.

Right now, Ali Jones appears to be the lone voice of reason, but as only one vote around the Central Ward table, she’s completely out voted.

The answer would be to bring a notice of motion to the table to change the policy and give staff the freedom to listen to the public, but the public voted for the Labour aligned group who have the balance of power in 4 out of 6 community boards and are committed to the last governments “Road to Zero” policy.

Filling out the public engagement will help but not be enough. It won’t slow this project. Starting and presenting a petition calling for a change in the underlying policy could have more impact but will need 25,000 signatures.

The question that exercises my mind is that if I started a petition, would Chris and Ali endorse it, would the public endorse it, or is the public simply to burnt off?

Speed humps, crossing changes proposed for key Christchurch intersection