Dangerous Wanaka roads require crossing solutions

THERE are an increasing number of children from the western side of Wanaka who attend Te Kura O Take Karara Primary who would dearly love to bike to school.

Unfortunately, this involves crossing two busy and dangerous roads — Cardrona Valley and Ballantyne.

Approaches have been made to the Queenstown Lakes District Council regarding this issue but no timely, efficient and costeffective solution has been forthcoming.

The solution appears obvious. There are at present two ‘‘refuge islands’’ and ‘‘indicative crossings’’ — one across Cardrona Valley Rd in the vicinity of the Wanaka Medical Centre and one across Golf Course Rd near the Aspiring Retirement Village.

Of course, ‘‘refuge islands’’ are a potential disaster for children attempting to cross.

However, with a lick of road paint and appropriate signage, both of these could be converted to real pedestrian crossings with minimal expenditure, thus providing safe passage for schoolchildren.

Golf Course Rd would need to be reduced to a 40kmh limit, but given that virtually all the roads around Wanaka township are at this, it would seem logical to get some real benefit from the slowing down of vehicles which has been imposed.

The remaining crossing point is across Ballantyne Rd. The glaringly obvious location is a real pedestrian crossing where golfers cross between the front and back nine of Wanaka Golf Course.

Crossing this road is a ‘‘hazard’’ for golfers who would benefit greatly from this installation. A winwin initiative — killing two birdies with one stone.

Get these crossings installed as a matter of urgency.

John Milburn

Wanaka

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