Volume One 17. Transportation [D] Objective 17.5 – The safety and accessibility of roads for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle movement in general is maintained and/or improved. Important components in a sustainable land transport network are ensuring it can be used safely and is accessible for a range of uses. The objective therefore seeks to ensure that these components are appropriately recognised and provided for. [D] Policy 17.5.1 – Maintain road safety and accessibility by ensuring that standards of road design, vehicle access, vehicle crossings, loading and parking are related to the intended function of the adjoining road in terms of the roading hierarchy in Policy 17.3.2. The road hierarchy describes the intended function of a road. The intended function of a road must be designed to a standard that enables the road to operate in accordance with that function and to ensure safety and accessibility are maintained. Road design relates to a variety of elements and controls, including road width, pavement construction, street lighting, signage, parking restrictions, activities and access points. [D] Policy 17.5.2 – Encourage the development of pedestrian areas, footpaths, walking tracks and cycleways, especially on the approaches to all schools, to improve amenity and accessibility for residents. People will be encouraged to walk or cycle rather than use motorised transport if they are provided with a safe and pleasant environment. The creation of pedestrian and cycle links can be an important part of improving safety and access. The subdivision and development process provides the opportunity to establish walking and cycling links, thereby enabling the transport network to be developed in an integrated manner. [D] Policy 17.5.3 – Avoid establishing activities that generate high levels of pedestrian movement across national and arterial routes. To help maintain road safety it is important that activities likely to generate high levels of pedestrian movement are not located on national or arterial routes. The prime role of these routes is for through traffic and locating activities along them can result in safety hazards, creating potential conflict between motorised vehicles and pedestrians. [D] Policy 17.5.4 – Avoid the display of outdoor advertising that could adversely affect traffic safety by confusing, distracting or obstructing the view of motorists or pedestrians. Signs and other forms of outdoor advertising are a necessary part of the community’s social and economic activities. However, the potential adverse effects of outdoor advertising on traffic safety are of concern to the Council. Different environments within the district have different levels of sensitivity to the potential adverse effects of signs. In particular, careful consideration must be given to the location, design, size or type of signs along state highways and primary arterial routes, where the potential for conflicts with traffic safety are highest. The erection of signs on the site where an activity is undertaken is accepted as part of that activity and will generally be a permitted activity, subject to meeting standards. Signs located off-site to attract customers to another site will need to be assessed through the resource consent process to determine whether there will be an adverse impact on traffic safety. In some situations there may be improved traffic safety outcomes through off-site location of signs. 17 – 11