Community shows support for pedestrian crossing in Reefton

In a survey recently conducted by Buller District Council (BDC) 74% of respondents gave their support to the creation of a pedestrian crossing in Reefton.

The survey received a high volume of submissions with over 140 people taking the time to give their opinion.

While council and Waka Kotahi NZTA views this level of support as significant, there is still work to be done to decide the best location for a pedestrian crossing and when construction should begin.

The final decision if the crossing will go ahead will be made by the Inangahua Community Board.

If the crossing is to progress it would be one of only two approved and fully funded Waka Kotahi NZTA safety projects on the West Coast aimed at improving pedestrian safety. The crossing would need to be installed before June 2022 to utilise the external funding currently available.

Many of the people who completed the survey left additional feedback regarding ways to improve pedestrian safety in Reefton, specifically along State Highway 7. A reduction of the speed limit to 30km/h was a popular option. While this is outside the scope of the pedestrian crossing project all feedback has been supplied to Waka Kotahi NZTA for consideration.

Council has supplied a survey results report to Waka Kotahi NZTA and the Inangahua Community Board for review.

The Inangahua Community Board will meet in April, discuss the results, and make a decision if the crossing will go ahead. The Reefton community will be informed once a decision is made.

Council would like to thank everyone that took the time to complete the survey and gave their feedback.

The Reefton pedestrian crossing survey results can be viewed on council’s website.

-ENDS-

For more information contact:
Manager Infrastructure Delivery
Eric de Boer
eric.deboer@bdc.govt.nz