New pedestrian crossings in Havelock North will improve safety

Work has started on the crossing at Te Mata Rd this week

Pedestrian safety and access is set to improve near the Havelock North Village Green where two new raised crossings being built over the coming weeks.

Safer access to and through the Village Green for people of all ages and abilities was outlined in the Havelock North Domain Reserve Management Plan, and the crossings – on Te Mata Rd and Napier Rd - will help slow traffic heading into the Village Centre, thus improving safety for all pedestrians.

Work began on Monday this week on the first crossing at Te Mata Road outside the Havelock North library.

Here, the existing pedestrian crossing will be elevated onto a raised platform to help slow vehicles down on this busy road. This work will require the road to be closed at this location, at the most, for five days in mid to late May.

For the rest of the project, expected to take until June, the road will be open with traffic management in place.

Temporary, alternative crossings will be in place for the public, school children and library visitors for the duration of the works, and parking will still be available.

After this is completed, contractors will shift their focus to Napier Rd where a raised courtesy crossing will be installed opposite the area where Deliciosa Restaurant, Hawthorne Coffee Roastery and Espresso Bar, and Thirsty Liquor are situated.

While this work is happening, Napier Rd will remain open but may be reduced to a single lane at times, and traffic management will be in place.

Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said pedestrian safety had been an ongoing concern for Havelock North residents for some time and it was good to see this work getting underway.

“Our consultation on the Havelock North Domain Reserve Management Plan showed us that the community wanted safer access to and from the domain and these pedestrian crossings should hope to alleviate those concerns.

“Havelock North is a bustling urban area and these crossings will help our community to be more safety aware on the busy roads near the village centre.”

Havelock North resident Wayne Bradshaw said at the time of the redevelopment of the Village Green it was considered important to integrate this important community space with the Central Business District and make it safely accessible for all of the community, including older persons.

“To achieve this the flow of traffic, particularly heavy vehicles, needed to be managed and a clear start to the CBD had to be defined.

“These planned raised crossings will enhance the Havelock North CBD experience and allow the community and visitors to feel safe and enjoy this great space.”

Jeff Whittaker, owner of Whittakers Pharmacy, which has operated from the village for nearly 60 years, also welcomed the implementation of the final stages of the Havelock North Domain Reserve Management Plan.

 “A raised pedestrian crossing will slow the speed of traffic approaching the pedestrian precinct and retail area making it much safer for those walking and crossing the road.”

4 May 2021

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