The intersection at Fraser St and Merivale Rd near the Merivale shops has been labelled dangerous by nearby residents.

Peter McTavish, who uses an electric wheelchair, says cars often fail to stop when he tries to cross the road. “It is dangerous.”

McTavish was diagnosed with congenital cerebral palsy due to a lack of oxygen at birth, when he was born six weeks prematurely.

He said he had approached the Tauranga City Council to push for traffic lights to be installed.

“I just want to make my community safer,” he said.

The council’s acting manager of safety and sustainability, Karen Hay, said it had received requests to improve pedestrian access along Fraser St and to install traffic signals at several intersections. “Fraser St is a busy road, with around 21,000 vehicles using it daily.”

She said requests had been made for traffic signals at the Fraser St intersections with Landview Rd, Merivale Rd and Kesteven Ave.

The process from investigation to installation could take about 24 months, Hay said, and estimated costs range from $2 million to $3m, depending on the intersection’s complexity and risk.

These costs include land purchases, removing power poles and relocating underground utilities, road widening, installing traffic signal hardware, upgrading street lighting, and building new footpaths and cycle lanes.

Traffic signals can improve pedestrian safety, but may also cause congestion if intersections lack room for turning lanes or waiting vehicles, Hay said. “Without enough space, traffic signals could lead to long delays on Fraser St and nearby roads. Although roundabouts can also get congested, they are generally more effective in this area, given the current conditions.”

During the past year, signalised pedestrian crossings had been added at the intersections at Fraser St and 13th Ave, Fraser St and 17th Ave, and near the Merivale Community Centre.

A crossing was also added at Kesteven Ave, said Hay. “These spots were chosen because many students cross there each day.”