A series of safety improvements and parking changes are proposed for the stretch of State Highway 2 within Tāneatua.

In February 2020, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency proposes to introduce the improvements – designed to reduce the speed of vehicles through Tāneatua and increase safety for pedestrians.

Acting Director Regional Relationships, Ross I'Anson, says the Transport Agency heard the community's concerns about safety within Tāneatua at a public open day in 2018.

'The overwhelming message was that people were travelling too fast through the township.

'Since then, we have been working closely alongside community stakeholders on solutions.”

The proposed safety improvements include a new flush median through the town, two new pedestrian refuge islands and pedestrian crossings, and narrowing the traffic lanes to encourage slower speeds.

To support the improvements, parking changes – including installing yellow ‘no parking lines' in some areas and a dedicated bus bay outside Tāneatua School – are also proposed.

A public drop-in session is being held on Thursday, December 5, at Tāneatua War Memorial Hall from 2.30pm-5pm for anyone who wants to know more about what's being proposed.

'We invite anyone who wants to know more about these plans to come talk to us at this time."

The Transport Agency is now asking for feedback from stakeholders and the public about the proposals. Consultation is open until Friday, December 13.

'Feedback will allow us to know whether there is anything we overlooked or haven't been made aware of during the earlier community engagement.”

Feedback can be given at the public drop-in session or by emailing BOPcorrespondence@nzta.govt.nz.

For more information, visit nzta.govt.nz/taneatua-improvements.

Proposed safety improvements

• Installing advanced warning signs ahead of the 50km/h speed limit change through Tāneatua so motorists have more time to slow down
• Narrowing and colouring the surface of the traffic lanes where the speed limit changes and installing a flush median strip at these locations. (Narrowing traffic lanes means they feel more constricted and encourage vehicle speeds appropriate for a 50km/h environment)
• Marking a new flush median through the town to improve safety for vehicles turning and provide separation between oncoming traffic. (Flush medians are white diagonal lines, painted down the centre of the road, marking an area about one-car-width wide)
• Constructing two new pedestrian median refuge islands to provide additional safe crossing locations - between Howell and Morrison roads, and between Reid and Amokura roads
• Two new pedestrian crossings – one between the shops and reserve and another outside Tāneatua School.

Proposed parking changes

• Installing ‘no stopping at all times' yellow line markings on both sides of the highway at various locations through the town. As we are proposing to narrow the highway and install the above safety features, there will no longer be enough space for on-street parking in some areas of town. The yellow lines ensure vehicles don't try to park at these locations. These are particularly important at pedestrian crossing points and intersections
• Installing a new bus stop outside Tāneatua School. This will be built on the side of the road to allow the bus to stop without hindering visibility of pedestrians
• Altering the locations of the existing 60-minute time restricted parking bays, the mobility parking bay, and the existing bus stop bay in town.

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey this summer. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP
• Twitter: twitter.com/NZTAwaibop
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz

Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)