Southern View: August 27, 2019

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4 Tuesday August 27 2019 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi News SOUTHERN VIEW Busy street to get pedestrian crossing • By Georgia O’Connor-Harding A CROSSING will be installed on a busy Halswell street in a bid to improve pedestrian safety. But while city council staff have confirmed a crossing will be constructed it will not be controlled like a zebra crossing. Its transport operations manager Steffan Thomas said a controlled crossing is not suitable at this location due to the low number of pedestrians that cross. THe Halswell Pharmacy has been calling for the crossing since March last year following a boom in development in the street over the past two years. The city council is planning to install a dropped kerb 4-5m north of the car park driveway, signage and a marked crossing estimating to cost between $2000-$3000. It is planned to be installed in the next financial year. Halswell Pharmacy owner Karen Frater said while she while she would have preferred a controlled crossing, “something is better than nothing.” Pupil safety solution in progress outside school • By Georgia O’Connor-Harding FLEXIBLE BARRIERS will remain in place at a busy intersection in Halswell until a permanent solution is completed to keep children safe. The New Zealand Transport Agency has gone out for public consultation over a proposed permanent solution for the intersection of Larsens and Halswell Rd, located next to Halswell School. The solution was sought after a petition was signed by more than 600 people calling for the intersection to be made safer for school pupils. Since May, traffic separators preventing vehicles from turning right when travelling in and out of Larsens Rd onto Halswell Rd have been in place. NZTA’s proposed permanent “As long as we have got safe signage so motorists know that, is all I am worried about.” The pharmacy’s concerns stem from disabled, elderly and families having to cross the road from medical centre Halswellhealth to the pharmacy following appointments. But Mrs Frater said she wants to make Ensign St safer for the entire community. IMPROVING SAFETY: Traffic barriers preventing vehicles from turning right when travelling in and out of Larsens Rd onto Halswell Rd will remain in place until a permanent solution is finalised. PHOTO: MARTIN HUNTER solution has a number of objectives including to install an electronic no-right turn sign which will only be active during school patrol times. An access ramp linking the Halswell Pharmacy with the footpath is also planned. In the past people climbing the steps into the pharmacy have occasionally tripped. “The access to the pharmacy is via steps only, which doesn’t appropriately allow for mobilityimpaired pedestrians. This forces mobility-impaired users to access the pharmacy using the A pedestrian refuge island will be installed and no-stopping lines will be extended. A raised painted island at Larsens Rd entrance will also IT’S HAPPENING: Halswell Pharmacy owner Karen Frater’s calls to have crossing installed on Ensign St to make the road safer will be answered. A crossing is planned to be installed over the next financial year. PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN busy vehicular entrance,” Mr Thomas said. Mrs Frater said while she has owned the pharmacy for the past 10 years, it is in the last two years the road has become busier. “I think it is a bit of a racetrack between Halswell Junction Rd and getting into town,” Mrs Frater said. Most recent traffic counts show 2688 vehicles travel on the be put in place to assist with safer pedestrian crossing and guide right-turning traffic onto Halswell Rd at off-peak times. In the meantime, the flexible barriers will remain. Halswell School principal Stuart Cameron said the solution is a good compromise between ensuring there is access for vehicles using the road and maintaining safety for children crossing Halswell Rd. Previous feedback NZTA received from the community showed the while the barriers increased safety, it also restricted access to join onto Halswell Rd, encouraged poor behaviours and increased travel times. “Obviously with the no turning in school hours, that is really important from our perspective because that is the key time for us and our children crossing the road each day. Mrs Frater said there are schools and kindergartens in the area including Oaklands School, The Lighthouse Pre-school and BestStart Nottingham Avenue adding to the busyness. The Oaks Village, which the pharmacy is part of has also been completed. The building complex holds four mixed-used commercial buildings for 10 tenancies, which includes a convenience store, Indian restaurant Roti Chai, Curves Halswell, Elite Physiotherapy Halswell and Domino’s Pizza. Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board member Ross McFarlane said while it was a good outcome the crossing may not happen as quickly as it could of if he had put in a notice of motion. It was refused due to the city council already planning to take action on the crossing. •HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you think Ensign St is dangerous to cross? Email your views to georgia.oconnor@starmedia. kiwi road,” Mr Cameron said. Mr Cameron agreed while the trial is working well from a safety perspective, it has created access issues for the community. Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board member Ross McFarlane said it was the best available option presently inside the budget constraints “that obviously everyone has.” But he said “ultimately” he would have liked to have seen a lighter pedestrian crossing installed. “During the rest of the time, the traffic flows unless somebody wants to cross. Thereby they push the button, they cross the road and across they go,” Mr McFarlane said. •Consultation runs until September 16. To have your say email larsensroad@nzta. govt.nz or phone 964 2800 Reach 168,000 readers with just one ad placement Piece Of Paradise 49 Vernon Terrace, Hillsborough | $689,000 4 bedrooms | 1 bathroom | 1 living room | 1 dining room | 2 car-garage | 1 off-street park | Listing Number: BE193340 Nestled in the Ports Hills, sheltered against the nor’easterlies our vendors have made their decision and are ready to sell. Totally renovated from top to toe you will be impressed by the finishing. 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SOUTHERN VIEW Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Tuesday August 27 2019 5 Options costs vary greatly •From page 1 The schedule to be approved also proposes the facility includes a reception, espresso bar, creative activity room and multipurpose study/meeting/ break out rooms. Board chairman Mike Mora said the “must-haves” are in the component schedule, but the community consultation undertaken Mark Peters last month are for extra features if the existing budget allows it. The city council sent out a survey last month asking residents to choose their top additional four features • By Claire Booker THE FESTIVAL of Adult Learning will start at Phillipstown and Richmond next month. Classes will be held throughout the first week of the month at Avebury House and the Richmond Community Garden, with more classes to be held in Phillipstown. Events will include yoga and pilates demonstrations, drumming classes, cooking and art classes, gardening classes and cultural activities. There will also be feature talks, including a session on foraging for food in New Zealand with they would like to see in the design on top of the guaranteed facilities. The consultation was previously criticised by Hornby resident Mark Peters, who said there was an expectation many of the additional features listed in the survey should already be guaranteed in the facility. The city council told Western News the cost of each option varies greatly and the number that can be accommodated will depend on what is selected. But Mr Peters said: “I don’t see why they are using the budget as an excuse. They have been pressed repeatedly to use some imagination and find some other (funding) sources.” Feedback from the community showed there was Natalie Absalom. Avebury House Community Trust house manager Tanya Didham said it is exciting to bring such a diverse range of free events to the community. “Together with Richmond Community Garden, our aim is always to engage people, increase social connection and provide opportunities for people to learn and be active,” she said. The week has been organised by Adult and Community Education Aotearoa and is a United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organisation initiative. The event was established in 1988 with the a need for a hydrotherapy pool to be included in the design to be used by elderly, disabled and sporting communities. A hydroslide, child-minding services, an outdoor space which can be lit, study/computer spaces, automatic doors to make the facility wheelchair friendly are some of the wishes the community would like to have in the facility. If the component schedule is approved by the board, city council staff will commence the concept design. The facility is expected to open 2022. •HAVE YOUR SAY: What features do you want to see in the new Hornby facility? Email your views to georgia.oconnor@ starmedia.kiwi Festival of Adult Learning comes to Phillipstown Tanya Didham goal of raising the profile of adult learning. It is a good way for members of the community to meet other people in their area and get involved with adult learning. The event will suit people from all backgrounds, including those who are learning to adjust to life in New Zealand, re-training to find employment, adjusting to life after prison, acquiring parenting skills, or just getting out and doing an activity to make life better and meet people. The event incorporates International Literacy Day on September 8. •A full list of events is available at www. aceaotearoa.org.nz/ events/festival-adultlearning CHRISTCHURCH CASINO BUFFET IS BACK! $ 26 PP LUNCH | $ 39.50 PP DINNER Boy racer issues in Hornby • By Georgia O’Connor-Harding SPEEDING CARS are causing more headaches – this time for residents living on Neill St in Hornby. The boy racer issue has been highlighted in a letter to the Halswell- Hornby-Riccarton Community Board. Residents are concerned the street is being used as a “raceway”, with speeding vehicles at risk of not making the bend at the Main South Rd end of the street. The letter was presented by Greater Hornby Residents’ Association secretary Lyn Hucklebridge. “Residents feel that the police are not doing enough patrols around this area when reports are made,” she said. Mrs Hucklebridge said while residents do not want speed humps installed, they are “extremely concerned” about the speed of some vehicles. A police spokeswoman told Southern View “officers on the ground” were not aware of the issue with boy racers. However, a resident who did not wish to be named said she has made online submissions to police and phoned them “about a dozen times.” She said she has made police aware of the issue, but appreciates they are busy. Another resident said boy racers have been an issue on Neill St for about 20 years. “The wet weather is an absolute drawcard for them because they can get more of a slide on.” Said board chairman Mike Mora: “It is a pretty hard thing to control. You have •From page 1 The dredging has been carried out with an amphibious excavator. The landscaping that is planned for next month will start with native shrubs and trees to replace the greenery which was removed due to poor health. About one-third of the trees and shrubbery will be planted this year, and the remainder will be completed in the coming years to spread the impact on river wildlife. The next sections of work on the river (stages three and four) between Beckford and Wilsons Rds is planned for later this year, through to 2020. TROUBLE: Boy racers have been leaving skid marks on Neill St in Hornby. to be there at the time it happens.” Mrs Hucklebridge raised several other traffic-related issues in her letter. She said residents are also concerned the intersection of Neill St/Springs Rd has been narrowed by a planted plot, restricting traffic trying to get out onto Springs Rd. Mrs Hucklebridge said if a motorist is turning right onto Springs Rd no one can turn left. She also raised issues with the Halswell Junction Rd extension being delayed and says there is no sealed footpath on the west side of Main South Rd from the traffic lights to Countdown Hornby and from Chappie Pl to Ravensdown. Community to be involved in planting Be part of NZ’s biggest event of 2020 Now hiring Electorate Managers This is a role for someone who can lead a team, has great event management skills and a keen interest in their community. WED to SUN Work in these areas will mainly be sediment removal, bank stabilisation and replanting. In some areas, the city council plans to remove a small number of trees that are in poor condition to allow for bank regrading and stabilisation. The city council will work with river care groups and schools in the area to involve the community in the replanting stage of the project. Trees which are removed will be replaced in future landscaping plans. The landscape plans can be viewed at the drop-in session at the Opawa Community Church on September 3. As an Electorate Manager you’ll lead a team to deliver a successful general election in your area. Events don’t come much bigger, more challenging, or more exciting than this. It’s a 30 week (minimum) role starting in March 2020. Āwhinatia te hanga rōpū kaimahi e whakaata ana i tō tātou hapori. Tono ināianei mō te tūranga Kaiwhakahaere Pōtitanga. Apply today at elections.nz
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Southern View: August 27, 2019

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