Somewhere much safer to walk
A short stretch of State Highway 10, from the Mangonui fire station to an existing path on Beach Rd, is on the list of new footpaths to be built by the Far North District Council.
“If this [section of highway] isn’t dangerous, what is?” resident Mike Pooley asked earlier this month.
“And it’s not only dangerous for pedestrians. Drivers move to the centre of the road to give them a wide berth, creating a hazard for other motorists.
“Bear in mind this is a 100km/h area, and all the children say they have been close to being hit.”
That stretch of highway was one of 12 sites for new footpaths that have been built, or will be built this financial year, however.
The sites were selected by the community boards, based on suggestions from the public and a matrix used to prioritise footpath projects, the criteria including pedestrian safety, proximity to schools, marae, medical centres and rest homes, and whether the new path would extend an existing one.
Eight of the projects had been allocated NZTA funding.
The council’s general manager infrastructure and asset management, Andy Finch, said the key goals in extending the district’s 196km footpath network were to increase pedestrian safety, improve public health, boost economic and social opportunities, and provide ratepayers with value for money.
“We want to do all we can to encourage cycling and walking, and improve community access for those with disabilities. Our difficult geography does not always make that easy or affordable, so we are grateful for funding assistance from the NZTA,” he said.
Council staff would continue to work with the NZTA to fund more footpath projects next financial year.
The current projects, some of which have been completed, are as follows.
Te Hiku: from Church Rd (Kaitaia) to the main gate at Arnold Rae Park (completed); from the Pukepoto Rd (Kaitaia) pedestrian crossing to the existing Kaitaia College bus stop footpath; an additional 396 metres in Donald Rd (to the intersection with Hillcrest Rd); Centennial Park; and on State Highway 10 at Mangonui, from Mill Bay Rd to connect with an existing path on Beach Rd.
The Te Hiku Community Board has also committed to building a shared-use path linking North Park Drive in Kaitaia to Whangatane Drive next financial year, and completing designs this year for a new path on Foreshore Rd, Ahipara.
Bay of Islands-Whangaroa: continuing a path opposite the intersection with Hone Heke Rd along Cobham Rd to Mill Rd; continuing a path from Waipapa Stream on Landing Rd to Skudders Beach Rd; extending a path on Shepherd Rd to the end of Riddell Rd.
The board has also allocated funding for the design of two paths to be built in 2019/2020, one on Mission Rd, the other continuing on Long Beach Rd to the beach carpark.
Kaikohe-Hokianga: outside the district council headquarters on Memorial Ave; a shared-use path along Recreation Rd to Raihara Street (Kaikohe); linking Thorpe Rd to Recreation Road and providing the Twin Coast Cycle Trail Pou Herenga Tai with a shared path into Kaikohe; from St Catherine’s Church to Okaihau on Horeke Rd.