Roading assets
Timaru District Council provides and maintains the following road network assets for the District:
- Roads (except those that are part of the main State Highway network)
- Bridges
- Footpaths
- Street furniture
- Street and traffic lights
- Street signs and markings
- Parking facilities
- Kerb and Channel
- Sumps
Reporting an issue about one of our road network assets is easy – click here to find out how
Roads
Timaru District Council manages 1,479km of rural roads and 238km of urban roads. Of these, 955km are sealed and 762km are unsealed. Council upholds a programme of works to maintain the roads, with prioritisation based on a number of factors.
Bridges
Timaru District Council manages 289 bridges in the Timaru District, and each year, some of these bridges are earmarked for replacement, maintenance, reinforcing, upgrade and other works. There are a number of historical bridges in the District.
Bridges that are weight and speed limited can be found here:
Footpaths
The Council maintains about 307km of footpaths in the District. The District's footpaths provide a safe and convenient space for pedestrians, especially in urban areas. Footpaths enable pedestrians to get to and from their place to work, school, and even move around the community for social, sporting, work, and other needs. A safe and effective footpath network helps the environment by encouraging people to walk or jog to their destinations rather than taking their motor vehicle.
General maintenance of footpaths is delivered to ensure the footpaths are well maintained, clean, and in a safe condition. Funding for new footpaths and footpaths maintenance is provided through rates.
Street furniture
Street furniture includes seating and benches, bus shelters, bike stands, planter boxes, street banners, christmas decorations, some fences in the CBD, balustrades and bollards. Council makes sure that these are well planned and managed, and maintained to be safe, clean, and able to cope with future needs.
Street and traffic lights
Street lights
Council installs, maintains, and upgrades different types of street lights in the District:
- Road lights;
- Pedestrian crossing lights (belisha beacons);
- Lighting in the parks and reserves areas;
- Pedestrian access way lights.
All street lights in private lanes or right-of-ways are installed and maintained by private landowners. Council does maintain the street lights on state highways in the Timaru District on behalf of Waka Kotahi, the New Zealand Transport Agency.
Traffic lights/signals
Traffic signals are installed to manage traffic flows and improve accessibility and safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. In some instances traffic signals may also be used to support a disability need.
Council is commonly asked why roundabouts are not installed at some intersections. Typically roundabouts only work well when traffic flows are balanced, and where there is little demand for pedestrian or cycle facilities. At certain sites traffic signals are thus the safest method to control traffic and protect all road users – including cyclists and pedestrians.
Street signs and markings
Signs
There are many types of street/road signs:
- Compulsory/regulatory signs – these advise drivers of restrictions and include speed limit, stop and parking restriction signs
- Temporary warning signs – these alert drivers of temporary hazards on the road ahead, such as road works, lane closures and gravel surfaces.
- Permanent warning signs – these indicate to drivers of the presence of road hazards such as curves, speed bumps and school zones
- Information signs – these provide useful information such as distance to the next town or rest areas
- Street name signs – these are blue with white writing and indicate street names throughout the District
- Amenity signs – these provide direction to certain public organisations and amenities such as schools, churches and community centres.
Private lanes/right-of-ways belonging to property owners are not maintained by Council. These signs can be distinguished as they have blue lettering on a white background (the reverse of a standard street name sign).
Markings
Road markings are frequently maintained by Council to meet the needs of people and communities to avoid any hazards or danger to pedestrians and vehicles. The road markings shall comply with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Specifications, New Zealand Standards, and Council's Delineation Standards.
Parking facilities
Council manages many parking facilities across the District. You can read more about parking here.
Last updated: 26 Jul 2021