Strategy. (JPG, 69KB)
In wider strategic policy terms, once finalised this SH1 Strategy implements the higher level objectives of the National State Highway Strategy at a regional level (as shown in Diagram 1).
The National State Highway Strategy (NSHS) categorises SH1 as a "National" State Highway. For the section of SH1 in this study, the NSHS did not identify a demand for major infrastructure improvements over the next 30 years. The key expectation was that there will be a need to develop passing and overtaking opportunities.
This section of SH in this study traverses parts of two Regional Council areas, Marlborough and Canterbury, therefore the study needs to take into account each Region's Land Transport Strategy and Programme.
The Canterbury Regional Land Transport Strategy (CRLTS) identifies SH1 as a strategic road in the Canterbury Region network. It identifies concerns over the long term security and reliability of this route. In north Canterbury priorities include to reduce conflict between modes, improve safety, improve quality of access routes to tourist destinations, route security and provision of alternative routes, improve primary freight routes and connectivity between population and growth centres and to improve the environment. The Marlborough Regional Land Transport Strategy (MRLTS) notes that the transport infrastructure will come under continued pressure from tourism, marine farming, forestry and viticulture land uses. It identifies concerns around the need for efficient transport networks to support freight and tourism flows, road safety associated with increasing heavy traffic movements, and network demands generated by rural-residential subdivisions and population growth in Blenheim. The principal issues are therefore to manage capacity for tourism and freight, route security, operational efficiency and safety in a way that enables economic growth and is environmentally and socially sustainable.
