The NZ Transport Agency is considering ways to improve pedestrian crossings and redesign a number of intersections to work more effectively on Motueka’s High St, State Highway 60.
Public engagement on proposed options took place between June and July. The community provided feedback on parking, speed restrictions and several design options for intersections along High Street. The Transport Agency received more than 250 responses from individuals, stakeholders, organisations and interest groups.
“We were very pleased with the high level of community participation and interest in this project. We’ll use this feedback as we work with key stakeholders to develop possible options that improve safety and traffic flows on High Street,” says Frank Porter, Transport System Manager for the Transport Agency.
Key findings:
- Ninety-one percent of respondents support a roundabout at King Edward Street/Old Wharf Road.
- The next most popular proposals were for a roundabout at Whakarewa Street/Woodland Avenue (75% support), measures to encourage off-street parking (74% support) and for a 40km/hour speed limit (69% support).
- Around half of the respondents support sight-line improvements at Parker/Fearon Streets, and a third support a full intersection upgrade.
- All three proposed options for the central shopping area received support with option 2, prioritising pedestrian safety and local access, getting the most support.
- Potential loss of parking on High Street emerged as a key theme, particularly as a result of the right-turn bay at Wallace Street. When people were asked how significant they thought parking loss was for their preferred option, half said ‘insignificant’ or ‘not very’. Around a quarter thought it was ‘very significant’, particularly for those with mobility impairments, and to support businesses located on the High Street.
The full report is available here [PDF, 3.4 MB].
More details on options will be available later this year.
