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Police focus on Dallington Bridge safety

Connor Stirling
Dallington south
Dallington Bridge looking north.  Google Maps

Near-misses, crashes and poor visibility among the safety concerns at rebuilt bridge.

Dallington residents are so concerned about safety at the bridge that they've involved police and local politicians.

The bridge, which connects Gloucester St and Grayhurst Rd in Avonside, was damaged beyond repair in the Canterbury earthquakes. It was rebuilt and reopened in 2015.

The bridge now has a pronounced hump and railings, which can block the view of traffic turning on to the bridge.

Dallington Residents' Association spokesperson Bebe Frayle said the bridge was not safe to cross.

"You feel like you're doing a lot of management when you're turning on and off the bridge".

Following a crash witnessed by Christchurch City Councillor Glenn Livingstone in June, the residents' association decided to take action, speaking at a recent Coastal-Burwood Community Board meeting. 

A city council traffic engineer Wayne Gallot agreed with the concerns of the residents when he spoke at the same meeting.

A site meeting was held at the bridge on Wednesday, August 22. Following that, the city council has agreed to install traffic counters at intersections surrounding the bridge, and asked Police to more tightly enforce the stop sign compliance.