Wood Street traffic consultation could lead to more trials

The fate of Wood Street’s shopping centre traffic is still undecided with two more consultation sessions held recently asking for feedback on the one-way design.

Approximately 40 people representing both the business and residential community visited the Mangawhai Club on March 4 and 7 to view large displays of data and comments gathered from the 432 online and hard copy responses to the one-way trial held over the Christmas holiday season.

Kaipara District Council (KDC) community and recreation advisor Gail Fotheringham summarised the result saying ‘the vast majority of responses were positive’. However concerns remain for affected residents living in close proximity to the shopping centre.

“They told us that they experienced a higher vehicle activity during the trial period with Ellen and Findlay Street in particular,” she says. “Signage was also an issue that came across as needing to improve. This was seen as a key factor in promoting the use of the increased parking opportunities created in Fagan Place.”

With the former fire station’s condemned buildings to be removed later on in the year, further ideas regarding how to use the space were ‘captured’ Fotheringham says.

“The next step in the process is for all the information to be shared with the council technical team who will come up with some options that respond to the feedback. Concept plans incorporating the ideas will then be workshopped with the community.”

A summary handout was offered to everyone who attended and updates are also available on the Mangawhai Community Plan website.

First initiated by Mangawhai Business Association (MBA) in October last year, and facilitated by KDC, two brainstorming meetings and public consultation meetings regarding possible realignment trials have been well attended by Wood Street businesses and surrounding residents.

MBA chair Richard Gunson says the recent holiday trial was a great chance for people to see how a one-way system could work along the busy stretch of road.

“Not often we get the opportunity to have trials like this. Thanks to all the people that took the time to comment whether it be by survey or at meetings that have been held,” he says. “We now wait for the experts to work out the next steps.

Following the holiday period one way traffic trial, Wood Street is back to normal as a decision is made on future traffic control around the busy shopping centre.

PHOTO/JULIA WADE

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