Introduction

STATE & PROVINCIAL HIGHWAYS SEALED ROADS METALLED ROADS

Unique Initiative

The establishment in December 2000 of an organisation called Marlborough Roads makes Marlborough unique in that it is the only area of New Zealand where there is a single purpose office to manage both the State Highway and the district road networks.

State Highways

The Marlborough district has four state highways running through it: SH 1 (Picton to Christchurch), SH 6 (Blenheim to Nelson) and SH 63 (Renwick to the West Coast) and in July 2004 Rapaura Road, now SH 62, was added.  SH 62 connects Spring Creek on SH 1 to SH 6 north of Renwick. These highways are administered by New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) through its Marlborough Roads office.

For State Highway road conditions call 0800-4-HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).

District Roads

The other 1,500 km of roads in the district are owned by the Marlborough District Council and managed for it by Marlborough Roads.

Remote Roads

Some 700 km of the council-owned road network is not sealed. These roads have low traffic flows - typically fewer than 100 vehicles per day. Most of the roads in the outer Marlborough Sounds and the more remote roads throughout the rest of the district are unsealed. These roads can become slippery during prolonged wet periods and require drivers to exercise extreme care at such times.

Some unsealed roads, especially in the Kenepuru area of the Marlborough Sounds can be damaged by storms and are subject to closure, but it is rare for any road to be closed for more than one day.

Urban Areas

Urban streets and associated facilities (special paving, footpaths, roundabouts, etc) are also managed by Marlborough Roads. The first stage of the Picton CBD upgrade is complete and subsequent stages are proposed but not programmed. 

Safety

Marlborough Roads carefully monitors road safety throughout the district and is continually undertaking minor safety improvements to enhance the network. Marlborough Roads also employs a Road Safety Co-ordinator who consults with various community groups and manages a range of community road safety projects.

Draft Walking and Cycling Strategy

Council recently approved the release of its Draft Walking and Cycling Strategy.

• Marlborough Walking and Cycling Strategy Final (1.7 Mb)
• Marlborough Walking & Cycling Action Plan (17 Kb) 
• Cycle and Walking Strategy Picton Map (332 Kb)
• Cycle and Walking Strategy Blenheim Map (506 Kb)
• Cycle Strategy Wairau Plains Map (459 Kb) 

Speed Limits Schedule

• Speed Limits Schedule (305 Kb)
• Map book (2.2 Mb)

2009-2012 Land Transport Programme

Below are Council's 2009-2012 Maintenance and Renewal Land Transport Programme, Assets & Services Committee Order Paper Item, an Information Package item and a powerpoint presentation. 

The programme has been submitted to New Zealand Transport Agency but public comment is wlecomed before the programme is finalised. 

There were no submissions received by Marlborough Roads during a consultation period ending December 2008.

Details can be viewed below or in hard copy at Marlborough Roads.

• Assets & Services Information Package item - 2009-2012 (4.4Mb)
• PowerPoint Presentation - Subsidised Works Programmes
• Assets & Services Order Paper item - 2009-2012 LTP

'The Blenheim Bus' - Blenheim's Bus Service

'The Blenheim Bus' service operates Mondays to Fridays.  See bus timetable and map below.

• Blenheim Bus Service (223K) 
• Blenheim Street Map (400 kb)

How to Catch 'The Blenheim Bus'

1. Check the Route Map for the service you require and the pickup point nearest to you.
2. Check the timetable for an appropriate travel time.

Be at the closest pickup point along the route a few minutes before the scheduled departure time.

FARES: Adults $2.00 ** School Children $1.00 ** under 5's free.

Roading Customer Survey 2008

Customer Survey 2008 (665 kb)

Marlborough District Roading programme 2008/09

The Marlborough District Council is responsible for all roads in Marlborough except the state highways.  The Council is required to maintain its roads up to a certain standard to qualify for Land Transport New Zealand's subsidy for this work.

View summary Land Transport NZ Annual Plan 08-09 (1.2 mb)

 

 

Dedicated Cycle Lanes for Safer Cycling

The safety of cyclists has been identified as one of the four key road safety issues in Marlborough. The records show that most of the accidents involving cyclists happen at intersections in town during daylight hours.

As part of the Urban Design Study currently underway, cycle lanes, routes, paths and associated intersection safety improvements are being considered. These are considered as part of a range of possible improvements including increased green space and pedestrian connections.