High Street streetscaping and pedestrian crossings
Since the turn of the century, the appearance of High Street has been a topic of controversy - the trees, the furniture, the kerbing, pediestrian crossings etc. With the significant roadworks programme and publication of the Motueka Transportation Plan in the first half of 2010, the topic has again been hot, as can be seen on many pages of this website.
History
Until the end of the 1990s High Street was pretty much like any other small town main street - without much permanent beautification and streetscaping. In the lead-up to the celebration of the new millennium, and following some advocacy by the Motueka Arts Council, it was decided that the town's main millennium project would be to reshape the footpaths to provide some expanded areas around pedestrian crossings, lay paving stones to reflect a wantering Motueka River theme, plant major roadside trees and commission artists to design street furniture - seats, bollards, rubbish bin housing, and other items - to provide a more "lived-in" space.
The number and location of pedestrian crossings, and the refusal of the roading authorities to install traffic lights, has become contentious as the traffic count - including larger trucks - has grown dramatically over the decade. Debate has ranged from wanting traffic to move through more quickly and allow locals to move about town more easily without holdups, through to wanting even more slowing up of traffic and more trees and green or open spaces along the footpath to make the town even more attractive as a stopping and living space.
Current activity
[April 2010] The major roadworks project in early 2010 resulted in the removal of some trees and footpath opposite the Tudor Street intersection, including the removal of street furniture installations there. This caused much anger among many. TDC's engineering people promised the furniture and equivalent trees would be re-installed further south as new streetscaping down to Whakarewa Street is planned. Follow reports and discussion on these issues here, here and here.
[May 2010] The long-awaited Motueka Transportation Plan was published, with many implications to the operation and appearance of High Street, including planning for roundabouts. Details here »
[June 16, 2010] The Community Board formally requested NZTA to construct a pedestrian crossing from New World to The Warehouse before Christmas 2010, adding that if only three pedestrian crossings on High Street was still the policy then the crossing at the Greenwood/Pah Street intersection be removed and traffic lights installed instead.
[July 13, 2010] The issue of the large trees along High Street was raised again, with concerns over messy and dangerous leaf drop during autumn, and that they are now blocking the view of security cameras, street signs and large drivers of large trucks around pedestrian crossings. The Community Board asked TDC to consider replacing trees this year with smaller evergreen trees that will do for the next five years while long-term planning is carried out.
[August 10, 2010] The Community Board formally recommended to NZTA three major priorities be implemented by 30 June 2011: 1. Install traffic signals at the Pah/Greenwood/High Street intersection; 2. Construct a roundabout at the Woodlands Ave/Whakarewa Street/High Street intersection; 3. Construct a pedestrian crossing from New World to The Warehouse.
[December 16, 2010] David Ogilvie reported to the board on the results of the survey provided through The Guardian in November. He was very pleased with the strength of the response - 110 people - and it showed a clear preference for the top four options: traffic lights at Pah Street, roundabouts at King Edward and Whakarewa streets and a new pedestrian crossing opposite The Warehouse. View the survey here. Read the full survey report here.
[9 February 2011] At the February Community Board meeting it was again stressed that an overwhelming number of Motueka people agree that the main key to making vehicular access across High Street safe and reliable would be the installation of traffic lights at the Greenwood Street / Pah Street intersection. The Board agreed that NZTA must continue to be informed that this plea be heard and adopted, and that it be notified to the Agency to be included on the agenda of the next liaison meeting in a few months.
[9 March 2011] A draft agenda was tabled by the Community Board for its meeting to be held with NZTA, TDC, Opus and MWH Consultants at the end of March, at which the Board has been invited to list and argue for all the improvements it is seeking with regard to SH60 and High Street.
[9 April 2011] The meeting with NZTA, TDC, Opus and MWH Consultants resulted in a clear indication from NZTA that they are not interested in traffic congestion issues in High Street and do not see these issues as worth tackling within the next two to three years at least. It seems that no further progress can be made on this in the near to middle future. See our story here »
