Challenges down the road

Some fresh thinking and a ‘‘blank page’’ approach are needed for a roading solution for Nelson, Tahunanui School’s principal says.

Last week National announced that if re-elected it would commit $135 million to build the Southern Link, which would run through Victory to connect the Annesbrook Dr and Haven Rd roundabouts.

Tahunanui School Principal Barbara Bowen said the location of State Highway 6 on the Nelson waterfront was having a big impact on the Tahunanui community and she was pleased decisions were being made.

She said with high volumes of traffic on Rocks Rd, Tahunanui Dr and roads including Muritai St, it was becoming ‘‘increasingly worrying’’ in terms of children’s safety.

‘‘We don’t see that many kids biking on the roads, they’ll be on the footpaths,’’ Bowen said.

‘‘A lot of parents are biking kids to school. We really want to encourage that, it’s so cool to see families out there but it’s only for those parents who are available to bike their kids to school and the rest of the kids don’t get that opportunity.’’

She said it limited children’s ability to be independent, to bike to their friends’ houses, and experience a ‘‘seaside village’’ in Nelson.

However, she was well-aware of the impact an alternative could have on the Victory community, which has come out strongly against the announcement.

Bowen said it was important not to play communities off against each other and she appreciated Victory schools and community groups had ‘‘every right to worry’’.

‘‘The way they’re talking about it doesn’t sound very attractive. It