MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
|
|
Plans to tackle Wood Street congestion unveiledBY JULIA WADE
Following on from two community brainstorming sessions focused on Wood Street’s traffic Christmas chaos, tactical trials to test people’s ideas have been recently presented for public scrutiny. The ‘Wood Street Congestion Concept Design Open House Session’ attracted a steady stream of Mangawhai Heads residents who live in close proximity to the complex, as well as the curious, to the The Club on November 6 to view the temporary experimental plans. From December 16 to February 10 2020, a one-way system will be trialled along Wood Street, with traffic entering at the Molesworth Drive intersection and exiting along either along Finlay or North Street. Fagan Place will be left hand turn only, additional parking will be available on the grassy field behind the Mangawhai Community Centre with 60 minute only parking allowed outside the shops. Improved pedestrian pathways within the shopping centre and along Ellen Street will be more clearly defined. Trials will also be conducted through the Easter holidays next year with a pedestrian-only plaza connecting the retail centres on both sides of Wood Street proposed along with traffic redirected down Fagan Place and exiting at the site of the old fire station. Depending on results and feedback, the temporary trial plans could possibly become permanent to the area. Kaipara District Council (KDC) staff were on hand to discuss the ideas and take on board further suggestions including KDC community and recreation advisor Gail Fotheringham. “Based on feedback given, council will now be working on several alternative solutions mainly in regards to parking and footpaths,” she says. “We thought the presentation was going to be quiet but turned out quite lively and informative. Thanks to everyone for another stimulating session.” PDF OF PLANS CAN BE VIEWED HERE
A steady flow of interested residents attended the recent council presentation which illustrated community-led plans on how to ease holiday traffic congestion at Wood Street’s shopping centre. |