Residents call for safer crossing
Residents of one of Taranaki’s fastest-growing towns are calling for a pedestrian crossing to be moved after several near misses.
People in Bell Block say the Parklands Ave crossing, close to the intersection of Mangati Rd, is a danger that will only get worse as the town expands.
‘‘We were just about to cross and this lady came tearing around the corner,’’ resident Kelly Clarke said of one recent incident. ‘‘When you’ve got kids or even dogs to get across it’s really unsafe there.
‘‘I’ve seen so many nearaccidents. Locals know it’s there but Bell Block is growing so quickly.’’
Another resident, Kerri Jordan, said: ‘‘We would like the council to pay attention to the fact that we’re growing dramatically and we feel that our infrastructure is not keeping up.
‘‘Just standing here, it’s a really busy intersection.’’
Julie Wood said it was in the ‘‘worst possible place’’.
‘‘I’ve seen people drive through that intersection without even giving way and a number of pedestrians I’ve seen, including myself, you have to jump back because cars just don’t see you.’’
They fear the situation will get worse if Parklands Ave is extended right out to connect to Airport Drive.
In May 1999, Margaret Brigid Bernadette Reilly, 74, known as Sister Bernadette, suffered serious head injuries and died at Taranaki Base Hospital two hours after being hit by a van on the crossing.
Richard Kettle said that he feels the infrastructure of the town is getting left behind.
‘‘The worst time is when school’s over. That is shocking, absolutely shocking.’’
New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom said he went and spoke to the residents on Tuesday.
‘‘I’m not a roading engineer but that crossing has been there for a long long time. What I can say is as a young Taranaki Daily News reporter I had to do a death knock there.’’
He invited people to send him a note with their concerns and suggestions, and said the district needed to continually reassess its infrastructure.
‘‘Bell Block is a place where probably 70 per cent of our population growth is going to occur over the next decade and New Plymouth as a district is going through some growing pains.
‘‘I have not had feedback about inadequate infrastructure for what’s there now but I certainly think that as the population grows the pressure’s going to come on for more facilities as more houses are built.’’