More Accidents Waiting to Happen?

Why can't we effect some improvements to our several unsafe intersections, especially the junctions of Feilding’s North St-Pharazyn-Kimbolton Rd and at South St-Aorangi-Waughs Rd?

During the last decade, several applications and plans have been submitted to New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) by Council's engineers, advocating for the improvement of these choke points. The obstacle is that NZTA has exclusive control of Highway 54 (Kimbolton Rd onto Aorangi St-Waughs Rd), Feilding’s main arterial route to almost anywhere.

So, we have this ridiculous situation where endeavours to remedy our town’s main thoroughfare at these pivotal intersections is outside of our local jurisdiction. Apparently, we require more serious accidents and fatalities to raise the attention of NZTA whose role is to prioritise road funding throughout the Motu.

So, what can we do about this unacceptable situation, noting that the substantial housing growth in the Maewa area and the expansion of the Turners Rd industrial precinct, will surely generate even greater traffic volumes at these two unsafe hot spots?

• Request NZTA for local Council “ownership” of the section of Highway 54 which bisects our town, or
• Submit a compelling Business Case (est $225,000) to NZTA backed by public support. Although there’s no guarantee of success, without this process we are not at first base.

Despite sharing a desire to keep rates affordable, I propose to advocate within Council for funding a Business Case.

Perhaps you may be equivocal about the design and concept of covering our square, but surely we must be united about improving our two most “demanding” local intersections!

If you also feel as strongly as I do for action, please sign the petition of support at Manawatū Community Hub Libraries (64 Stafford Street Feilding), the office of Feilding and District Promotions (22 Manchester Square Feilding), or contact me directly.

Proudly the “most beautiful town”, but we want to be known as a SAFE town to get around in.