Chapter 19 - Land Transport Through previous planning regimes and as part of the Council’s Regional Land Transport Strategy the Council has adopted a hierarchy of roads in which each road is generally classified with respect to its planned traffic function and the surrounding land uses. The highest classified roads (major arterials) provide for the greatest level of movement with a minimum access function, while local roads provide for very little through movement, but have a major access function. In this way the hierarchical network provides for the efficient and safe movement of people and goods, while reducing the conflicts which arise between traffic requirements and the environment of surrounding areas. 19.6 Issue The adverse effects of activities on the sustainable management of the land transport infrastructure. Land use activities can have adverse effects on the safe and efficient operation of the land transport network. Adverse effects on the land transport infrastructure from activities include inappropriately sited entrances that restrict site lines for traffic; road-side stalls that distract and disrupt traffic flows; buildings and trees that shade roads and contribute to ice and/ or reduced vision; activities generating high vehicle movements that increase the chance of intersection accidents; night lighting and glare from buildings that reduce visibility of road users; vehicle loading and delivery that interferes with pedestrians’ free and safe use of footpaths; advertising signs that distract motorists; and activities that demand off site vehicle parking causing congestion on adjacent roads. Maintaining safe rail crossings is an issue for the few rail crossings throughout the region. One of the issues that has not been resolved is the question of how to fund road upgrading works and whether contributions should be sought from the industry sectors which place particular wear and tear demands on the roads. No conclusion has been reached on this issue nation-wide and research is continuing by a number of agencies into the appropriateness of such contributions. It remains a possibility for this Plan. Discharges and accidental spills from vehicles onto roads create a slippery or hazardous road surface for other road users and are an environmental and safety issue. The enforcement provisions of other transport legislation are available to control these incidents. 19.7 Objectives and Policies Objective 1 That any adverse effects of activities on the sustainable management of the land transport infrastructure be avoided, remedied or mitigated. Policy 1.1 Ensure that subdivision and development of land adjacent to public roads does not compromise the safe or efficient flow of traffic on those roads through increased traffic volumes, kerb-side vehicle parking, or location of access points and intersections. Policy 1.2 Provide for traffic safety and directional signs and road marking on or adjacent to all road and rail facilities. 19 - 7