02/03/2006

Notorious street causes concern

It is Otorohanga's most notorious street.
And Te Kanawa St was the topic of discussion once again at an Otorohanga Community Board meeting last week.
Board member Andrew Ormsby raised the issue of traffic congestion at the Te Kanawa/ Maniapoto St intersection making it particularly difficult for traffic turning off Te Kanawa St south into Maniapoto St.
He suggested discussions be held with Transfield into the possibility of creating a roundabout or traffic lights to ease congestion.
However Otorohanga mayor Dale Williams said that from earlier investigations it was found there was insufficient area to create a roundabout and he was concerned that if pressure was put on Transfield it may instead choose to promote a route bypassing
the town altogether.
Mr Williams also queried whether rather than ease congestion, if traffic lights would cause vehicles to build up along Maniapoto St.
"Maybe we are opening up a can of worms here," said chairman Graham Wilshier.
Member Tim Jones said that while the intersection was a problem for traffic, he was also concerned that it was becoming a safety risk for pedestrians, particularly children and elderly citizens.
The board also discussed the problem of speeding drivers entering Te Kanawa St along SH31.
In January it was revealed that mobile speed cameras positioned on the street had recorded 3419 photographs and issued 1732 tickets in the past 12 months - the second highest of any other stretch of road in Waikato.
Board members expressed their disappointment at the findings and discussed possible ways to slow traffic entering the town.
Member Brendon McNeil questioned whether creating a 70km area outside the town would help reduce the speed of incoming traffic.
The board suggested council look at the possibility of creating a 70km area several hundred metres outside Otorohanga and extending the 50km area.