Call for speed limit slash on residential road

A woman whose pet dog died after being hit by a speeding car is warning it is only a matter of time before someone is killed.

Aerodrome Road resident Mel Marshall was devastated when her small dog was hit by a speeding car on Aerodrome Road.

With motorists continuing to regularly break the 70 kilometres per hour speed limit, it is a disaster waiting to happen, Mel says.

“Does it have to take a human life to change a speed limit?

“We call the police literally every week because of people doing burnouts or being idiots.

“There are elderly using mobility scooters, kids on scooters and people walk along the road.

“Losing my dog was hard, but I would hate for my child to be chasing a dog, or a ball, and be hit.

“I don’t want people to feel what I’ve felt.”

Aerodrome Road, off New Renwick Road in Blenheim, has a speed limit of 70 kilometres per hour, but the new Omaka Landing subdivision has seen a dramatic rise in road users.

The popular Omaka Aviation Centre, Omaka airport, the Omaka Marae, and several businesses are on the road.

“I’m not a negative Nancy – but when it’s a residential area, and a small area, with several major businesses – it’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

“It’s a very active area. It’s like a main road.”

Formerly living near the corner of Jacksons Road and Old Renwick Road, a car accident hot spot, Mel says she is familiar with hearing the squeal of tyres and crunch of impacting metal.

“I witnessed so many accidents [living on Jacksons Road]. Hearing the screech of tyres and waiting for the crunch; it’s not nice.”

She says Marlborough Roads won’t make any changes without a police report, but that’s not good enough.

“Wouldn’t you want to have a proactive approach?”

“If it’s changed, police can monitor it and behaviour will change.”

Mel says the tall grass on the side of the road, which hasn’t been mowed in months, forces people to walk on the road.

“It’s an accident waiting to happen.

“On highways it’s understandable to have a higher speed. But on a residential street with a new subdivision being built?

“It wouldn’t be hard to change two signs – and it would make people slow down and think.

“Even a duck crossing sign, like they have on Battys Road; beware of people walking.

“Just something."

Mel says she won’t give up until something is done.

“I’m not going to give up until it’s changed.”