Marlborough District Council Roading Assets - Activity Management Plan 2015 - 2018 SECTION 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Lower Wairau Road Features Figure 4.2.1 In the Blenheim area there are specific issues that are having an impact on the State Highway transport network. The Blenheim town centre is the Region’s central business area. Future urban growth is likely to occur by urban infill and to the northwest and west of Blenheim as a result of recent liquefaction study precluding the areas to the east. This study has resulted in unexpected changes to the future shape of Blenheim and is placing new strain on essential infrastructure to meet the new demand. Marlborough District Council also commissioned and has published the Blenheim Urban Design Strategy undertaken by Urbanism Plus. Urban congestion, particularly on and immediately adjacent to State Highway 1, can be an issue. Expansion of the Riverlands industrial area, including the Montana Winery, Sale yards and Cloudy Bay Industrial Estate are pacing pressure on the ocal transportaton inastructure. Spring Ceek is the region’s rato road transport freight centre. The following list highlights some key issues and prospective projects, however, it is not an exclusive list and it is likely that other projects will emerge through the life of the strategy and this Asset Activity Management Plan; Access to and from land use development if inappropriately located and/or designed may erode the safety, capacity and/or functionality of the transport network, Increasing number of heavy vehicles, increasing number of tourist vehicles and increasing cyclist numbers, with all modes using the same road, thus increasing the potential for vehicle conflict, Provision of pedestrian facilities, including improved crossing points, Provision of cycling facilities and improved sealed shoulder widths, Blenheim State highway urban intersection capacities and level of service, State highway rural intersection safety improvements, State highway traffic/Inter-island ferry access arrangements, Consideration of a Blenheim bypass of State highway traffic, Catering for land use change, particularly around Blenheim. 1.4.2.2 Smart and Connected Marlborough Smart and Connected is a vision developed by Marlborough District Council in partnership with the community. The vision is over the next decade, Marlborough will become a globally-connected district of progressive, high-value enterprise, known for our economic efficiency, quality lifestyle, desirable location and natural environment. 1.4.3 Demand Forecast 1.4.3.1 Population Data The resident population of the Marlborough region, at the time of the 2013 census was 43,416. There are 17,943 households with the majority of these located in the larger towns and serviced settlements with the balance in un-serviced settlements and rural areas. 30 September 2014 Page 15 of Section 1