Man fears safety measures will force him to close shop
It’s one of New Plymouth’s most dangerous intersections but shop owner Joseph Penberth says proposed safety improvements at the Blagdon shopping area will drive him out of business.
The New Plymouth District Council and Waka Kotahi are proposing several changes to Devon St West between Stuart Place and Bel Air Ave, a stretch of highway that has seen 18 crashes in the last five years at one intersection alone.
The proposals include removing up to five car parks near the shopping area to accommodate a biking lane, installing a crossing point and realigning the crashprone South Rd intersection.
Penberth, who owns the Lawnmower Sales and Service Centre in the shopping area, said he chose the location for his shop because of the car parks nearby and would close the shop down if the changes went ahead.
‘‘It’s a dangerous intersection, but it’s not the intersection, that’s the muppets’ driving,’’ he said.
He’s had first-hand experience of the dangers, with a car crashing into his shop in June.
‘‘I personally think a roundabout would be the best option,’’ he said.
Sray Seng, who owns the popular Blagdon Bakery, is another business owner unhappy about the potential impact of losing car parks.
She backs the roundabout idea and also would like to see a zebra crossing that would give pedestrians right of way on the busy street.
‘‘We have more crashes here because people are very impatient and they just try to turn in between little gaps.’’
But North Taranaki Cycling Advocates spokesperson Jenn O’Connell said the proposed cycle lane would make cyclists feel safer and this could bring benefits to business.
‘‘In New Plymouth, at the moment, most people driving cars are not expecting to see people on bikes and so they don’t feel responsible for the safety of people who are on bikes.’’
Having the cycle lanes could actually encourage local shopping from adjacent neighbourhoods, she said.
New Plymouth councilor Amanda Clinton-Gohdes said there was research showing the more that people were cycling and walking, the more business was generated.
‘‘Because people are going through the area slower and taking time to grab a coffee or something from the fabulous Blagdon Bakery.’’
Clinton-Gohdes said the proposal, which will be funded entirely by Waka Kotahi, was a compromise between car parking, cycling and walking.
Submissions on the proposal closed on September 9 with 74 responses received.