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Public meeting to debate pedestrian crossings

May 23rd, 2014
[from TDC's Newsline]

A public feedback session is being held in Motueka next Thursday to discuss the proposed pedestrian crossings for High Street, their location and the best way to progress the project.

Since January 2011 there have been three reported injury crashes (pedestrian v car) associated with the existing pedestrian crossings on High Street.

The zebra crossings encourage pedestrians to cross without looking and are uncontrolled. The lack of control creates confusion for pedestrians and motorists, which increases vehicle congestion along High Street.

The proposal by TDC's Engineering Department sees the removal of the three existing zebra crossings on High Street between Pah Street and Tudor Street and installation of three new signalised pedestrian crossings at the following locations:

Site 1:  Between the Motueka District Museum and the Red Beret Cafe.
Site 2:  Between Unichem Pharmacy and Cyberworld Internet Cafe.
Site 3:  Between The Hospice Shop and Beetees

Signalised pedestrian crossings require pedestrians to wait for a green signal prior to crossing, which is much clearer for everyone to understand and improves efficiency for both pedestrians and car users.

At times of heavy traffic flows the new signals would make it easier for vehicles to enter and exit the minor roads such as Wallace Street and Tudor Street as a result of the main flow being stopped.

The feedback session will take place in the supper room of the Motueka Memorial Hall between 4.00pm – 6.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

 



Comment by Sjors Brouwer:
[Posted 25 May 2014]

I object to the way this article is written (by the TDC, as you, Motuekaonline, have merely copied it from their material, which is fine. I am not criticising M Online.)

Let's be clear about a few things:

- Your article lays the responsibility for the accidents with the pedestrians ("encourage pedestrians to cross without looking"). May I point out that this is a Zebra crossing, where pedestrians have the right of way. End of story.

- The proposed new lights, will make it easier for cars, and harder for pedestrians. Pedestrians will lose their right to cross, they will instead get the privilege to cross, after a wait.

Are speed bumps an option? Doesn't seem to be considered.

Can I protest here, against the dominance of the car, over anything else: pedestrians, cyclists, public transport. The car is the norm, it seems, and it shouldn't be so. This becomes discrimination of all others. I hope someone will raise this point for me at the consultation meeting, as I sadly can't make it.

Thanks

PS, also note the eagerness of the TDC transport people to enlarge the bridge near Ngatimoti, in service of the transport industry, at the expense of rate payers.

Yes, there is money in the budget for it. Let's not spend it. Yes, the central government will pay 59%, that still leaves us to pay the rest. And, who pays the central government? Oh yes, us. Let's lower the rates, and keep the Motueka Valley as it is.



Comment by Jim Butler:
[Posted 27 May 2014]

I agree with Sjors Brouwer. The chief purpose of these light controlled crossings is to speed up traffic through the Motueka High Street. I suspect the three persons injured could have been killed if the traffic through the High St was moving faster.

Secondly, I also suspect that as many people jay-walk over the High St as use the pedestrian crossings. If one has to press a button at these proposed light controlled crossings and wait for a green light to cross, this can only encourage more jay-walkers.

Finally, how much is this going to cost us ratepayers? Would not the money be better spent on improving the safety of footpaths round Motueka. I am sure there are more injuries caused by defective footpaths than on pedestrian crossings.

This is just another project dreamed up by TDC staff that don't live in Motueka to increase the rates of Motueka residents.



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