Work to improve signage and visibility at 33 sealed rural intersections should be complete by the end of April.

The intersections have been singled out for safety improvements, including larger signs and roadmarkings.

Group Manager Infrastructure and Open Spaces Neil McCann said rural intersections had been in the spotlight since a fatal crash at the intersection of Mitcham Road and Hepburns Road in 2019.

“Initially we identified 79 sealed and unsealed intersections that were similar and reviewed signage and visibility for road users. Of those, 33 sealed crossroads were identified for improvements.

“We have many long, straight sealed roads in the Ashburton District and we are concerned that drivers may miss signs alerting them to a give way or stop ahead. So we have put in additional warning signs and installed larger signs to draw attention to the upcoming intersection.

“Ultimately drivers need to do their part and drive safely and to the rules, but we are doing our part and making sure the intersections are well identified.”

Improved signage has already been installed at the intersection of Maronan Valetta Road and Tinwald Westerfield Mayfield Road, the scene of a fatal crash last year.

Mr McCann said Ashburton District had one of the largest roading networks in the country and the condition and safety aspects of the road, particularly intersections, are regularly reviewed.

“Given the volume of traffic on our roads, we have relatively few crashes but we are committed to making our roads as safe as we can.

“We’re proposing to spend a lot more on road maintenance and rehabilitation, and will also keep looking at signs, visibility, line markings and anything else that could impede a driver’s ability to safety negotiate an intersection.”